tertiary Hear it!

tertiary Definition

ter·ti·ary (tʉr′s̸hē er′ē, -s̸hə rē)

adjective

  1. of the third rank, order, formation, stage, etc.; third
  2. Chem.
    1. third in order or type; involving the substitution of three atoms or radicals
    2. characterized by or designating a carbon atom or group attached to three other carbon atoms or groups in a chain or ring
  3. Geol. designating or of the first geologic period of the Cenozoic Era, usually subdivided into the Paleogene and the Neogene and characterized by the formation of major mountain ranges, the first grasses and grasslands, and the development of mammals as the dominant animal
  4. Linguis.
    1. designating, of, or being the third strongest of the four phonemic degrees of stress
    2. a mark used to indicate this
  5. R.C.Ch. of a Third Order
  6. Zool. tertial

Etymology: L tertiarius < tertius, third

noun pl. -·ar′·ies

  1. R.C.Ch. a member of a Third Order
  2. Zool. tertial

tertiary Idioms

the Tertiary

the Tertiary Period or its rocks

tertiary Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • halogenoalkanes: Comparing the reaction rates of primary, secondary and tertiary halogenoalkanes You would need to keep the halogen atom constant.
  • amine: In a tertiary amine there aren't any hydrogen atoms attached directly to the nitrogen.
  • ether: Allowing ETBE to qualify for the federal tax subsidies reduces the growth of MTBE ( methyl tertiary butyl ether ), its main competitor.
  • halogenoalkane: A tertiary halogenoalkane ionizes to a very small extent of its own accord.
  • syphilis: Maybe it's a good idea then we would know whether his apparent poor decision making is due to tertiary syphilis or not.
  • referral: We have strong links with Southampton for tertiary referral of complex problems.

Modifying Another Word

  • even: Instead, it will seek deals in secondary and even tertiary cities, where investment markets are fledglings.
  • only: When set, only TERTIARY and above differences are considered significant during comparison.