tertian

Meanings

Adjective

• Characterised by paroxysms recurring every other day (that is, every third day by inclusive reckoning).
• Pertaining to the mean-tone temperament, in which major thirds are perfectly in tune.

Noun

• A tertian fever.
• The puncheon, an old wine cask, three of which made a tun.

Origin

• From Middle English tertiān, terciān, terciāne, originally often as part of the collocation fever cum terciane, after Latin febris cum [[tertianus.