terce

American  

[turs] / tɜrs /

noun

Ecclesiastical.

1. a variant of tierce.

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terce British  

/ tɜːs /

noun

1. RC Church the third of the seven canonical hours of the divine office, originally fixed at the third hour of the day, about 9 a.m.

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Etymology

Origin of terce

a variant of _tierce

Example Sentences

We whitewashed no more than the fourth part of the roof before the church bells rang terce, the hour for our lessons to begin.

From "The Shakespeare Stealer" by Gary L. Blackwood

The custom of praying at these three hours, terce, sext and none, is very ancient.

From The Divine Office by Quigley, Edward J.

It is true I understand cart and terce, parry and thrust, but I have heard that Prettyman studied under Olivier.

From Damon and Delia A Tale by Godwin, William

And the poynt of the Isle of Orleans toward the Northeast is in 47 degrees and one terce of a degree.

From The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation. Vol. XIII. America. Part II. by Hakluyt, Richard

TERCER, s. a widow living upon a terce.

From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume XXIV. by Leighton, Alexander