Definition

1. Noun:
   • One of three equal parts of a divisible whole; a third: "tierce" can refer to one part of something divided into three equal portions.
   • The cardinal number three: In some contexts, particularly older or specialized usage, "tierce" can denote the number three.
   • The third canonical hour in the Divine Office of the Christian liturgy, traditionally said around 9 a.m.: This is a specific term from Christian liturgical practice.
   • (Fencing) The third of eight parrying positions: In fencing, it refers to a specific defensive stance.
   • (Music) An interval of a third: In music theory, it denotes the interval spanning three diatonic scale degrees.
   • (Cards) A sequence of three cards in the same suit: In card games, it refers to three consecutive cards of the same suit.
   • A cask for wine or other commodities, holding approximately 42 gallons (about 159 liters): An archaic unit of liquid measure.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The estate was divided into tierces among the three heirs. (The estate was divided into thirds among the three heirs.)
  • The monks gathered in the chapel for Tierce. (The monks gathered in the chapel for the third canonical hour.)
  • The fencer expertly moved his blade into tierce. (The fencer expertly moved his blade into the third position.)
  • The melody features a prominent ascending tierce. (The melody features a prominent ascending third.)
  • He held a tierce of hearts, hoping to complete a straight. (He held a sequence of three hearts, hoping to complete a straight.)
  • The merchant imported a tierce of brandy. (The merchant imported a cask of brandy.)

Advanced Usage

• "To sing in tierce": to sing in parallel thirds, a common harmonic practice.
  • The choir sang the folk song in tierce, creating a rich texture. (The choir sang the folk song in parallel thirds, creating a rich texture.)

Variants and Related Words

• Terce: An alternative spelling, especially common for the liturgical hour and the fencing position.
• Third: The more common modern synonym for one of three equal parts or the ordinal number.
• Tiercel (n): A male hawk, especially a peregrine falcon. (Note: This is a distinct word with a different etymology, sometimes confused with "tierce").

Synonyms

• Third: One of three equal parts.
• Triad: A group or set of three connected people or things (more general).
• Trinity: A group of three people or things, especially the Christian Trinity (theological).

Related Phrases

• "At tierce": In the fencing position of tierce.
  • Parry the attack at tierce. (Parry the attack in the third position.)

Related Idioms

• (No common idioms directly use the word "tierce". It is primarily a technical term.)

Noun

1. one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
   • it contains approximately a third of the minimum daily requirement
2. the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
3. the third canonical hour; about 9 a.m.