third
UK: θɜːd | US: θɜːrd
adj. 1. Constituting number three in a sequence; 2 ranks after second and before fourth.
n. 1. The ordinal number matching the number three in a sequence; 2. One of three equal parts of a whole.
The word "third" originates from Old English þridda, derived from Proto-Germanic þridjô, which itself traces back to Proto-Indo-European tritós (meaning "third"). The "-d" suffix evolved as a marker for ordinal numbers in English (e.g., "second," "fourth"). The root "thir-" reflects the cardinal number "three," with phonetic shifts over time (e.g., loss of the "ee" sound in "three"). This structure highlights the consistent Indo-European pattern of forming ordinals by adding suffixes to cardinal roots.
She finished the race in third place.
A third of the students voted for the proposal.
This is the third time I’ve called you today.
The third chapter of the book is the most engaging.
Divide the cake into thirds for equal sharing.