1. tierce(n = noun.time) terce - the third canonical hour; about 9 a.m.;
is a kind of canonical hour
2. tierce(n = noun.quantity) 3, deuce-ace, iii, leash, tercet, ternary, ternion, terzetto, three, threesome, trey, triad, trine, trinity, trio, triplet, troika - the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one;
is a kind of digit, figure
3. tierce(n = noun.quantity) one-third, third - one of three equal parts of a divisible whole; "it contains approximately a third of the minimum daily requirement"
is a kind of common fraction, simple fraction
1. A cask whose content is one third of a pipe; that is, forty-two wine gallons; also, a liquid measure of forty-two wine, or thirty-five imperial, gallons. [1913 Webster]
2. A cask larger than a barrel, and smaller than a hogshead or a puncheon, in which salt provisions, rice, etc., are packed for shipment. [1913 Webster]
3. The third tone of the scale. See Mediant. [1913 Webster]
4. A sequence of three playing cards of the same suit. Tierce of ace, king, queen, is called tierce-major. [1913 Webster]
5. A position in thrusting or parrying in which the wrist and nails are turned downward. [1913 Webster]
6. The third hour of the day, or nine
tierce, n.
1 Eccl. = TERCE.
2 Mus. an interval of two octaves and a major third.
3 a sequence of three cards.
4 Fencing a the third of eight parrying positions. b the corresponding thrust.
5 archaic a a former wine-measure of one-third of a pipe. b a cask containing a certain quantity (varying with the goods) esp. of provisions.
Etymology:
ME f. OF t(i)erce f. L tertia fem. of tertius third
N triality, trinity, triunity, three, triad, triplet, trey, trio, ternion, leash, shamrock, tierce, spike-team, trefoil, triangle, trident, triennium, trigon, trinomial, trionym, triplopia, tripod, trireme, triseme, triskele, triskelion, trisula, third power, cube, cube root, three, triform, trinal, trinomial, tertiary, ternary, triune, triarch, triadie, triple, tri-, tris-, tria juncta in uno.
N worship, adoration, devotion, aspiration, homage, service, humiliation, kneeling, genuflection, prostration, prayer, invocation, supplication, rogation, intercession, orison, holy breathing, petition, collect, litany, Lord's prayer, paternoster, beadroll, latria, dulia, hyperdulia, vigils, revival, cult, anxious meeting, camp meeting, ebenezer, virginal, thanksgiving, giving thanks, returning thanks, grace, praise, glorification, benediction, doxology, hosanna, hallelujah, allelujah, Te Deum, non nobis Domine, nunc dimittis, paean, benschen, Ave Maria, O Salutaris, Sanctus, The Annunciation, Tersanctus, Trisagion, psalm, psalmody, hymn, plain song, chant, chaunt, response, anthem, motet, antiphon, antiphony, oblation, sacrifice, incense, libation, burnt offering, heave offering, votive offering, offertory, discipline, self-discipline, self-examination, self-denial, fasting, divine service, office, duty, exercises, morning prayer, mass, matins, evensong, vespers, undernsong, tierce, holyday, worshipper, congregation, communicant, celebrant, worshipping, devout, devotional, reverent, pure, solemn, fervid, Int, hallelujah, allelujah!, hosanna!, glory be to God!, O Lord!, pray God that!, God grant, God bless, God save, God forbid!, sursum corda, making their lives a prayer, ora et labora, prayers ardent open heaven.