tertium Definition
a third thing or element, especially one that mediates between two other things.
Using tertium: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "tertium" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The treaty was signed with the tertium of a neutral country.
Example
The tertium quid in this situation is the missing piece of information that will help us understand what happened.
Example
The tertium comparationis is the common feature that allows us to compare two different things.
tertium Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for tertium
- intermediary
- middleman
- mediator
- go-between
Phrases with tertium
a principle in logic that states that there is no third possibility beyond two mutually exclusive propositions
Example
In the statement 'either it will rain tomorrow or it will not rain tomorrow,' tertium non datur applies.
tertium quids
an unidentified or undefined thing or element that is difficult to classify or categorize
Example
The novel's plot is full of tertium quids that keep the reader guessing until the end.
tertium comparationis
the common feature that allows for comparison between two different things
Example
In comparing two languages, the tertium comparationis could be their shared Indo-European roots.
Origins of tertium
from Latin 'tertius', meaning 'third'
Summary: tertium in Brief
'Tertium' [ˈtɜːtiəm] refers to a third element that mediates between two other things. It can be a neutral country in a treaty, a missing piece of information, or a common feature that allows for comparison. The phrase 'tertium non datur' denotes the principle in logic that there is no third possibility beyond two mutually exclusive propositions.
