third degree

1. A method of extracting a confession by bullying and/or torture
2. Any ruthless interrogation

to a degree

1. To a certain extent
2. To a great extent, to extremes

third /thûrd/

adjective

1. The last of three
2. Next after the second in time, place, order, rank, etc
3. Equal to one of three equal parts

noun

1. One of three equal parts
2. A person or thing in third position
3. An interval of two (conventionally called three) diatonic degrees (music)
4. A note separated from another by this interval (music)
5. Third gear
6. (also third class) an honours degree of the third, and usu lowest, class

adverb

1. In the third place
2. As the third point

transitive verb

1. To divide by three
2. To support after the seconder

thirdˈing noun

A third part

thirdˈly adverb

1. In the third place
2. As the third point

Third Age noun

Those people aged over 60 (in some cases over 50) collectively seen as a distinct group within society, with opportunities (eg for travel and education), special needs, and a positive contribution to make to society in general

Third-Aˈger noun

third class noun

The class (of degree, hotel accommodation, travel, etc) next below second class

third-classˈ adjective and adverb

third degree see under degree

third dimension noun

1. Depth, thickness
2. The dimension of depth, distinguishing a solid object from a two-dimensional or planar object

third-dimenˈsional adjective

third estate see under estate

third eye noun (informal)

1. The pineal gland
2. An organ supposed to enable extrasensory perception

third eyelid noun

The nictitating membrane (qv under nictate)

third force noun

A group (eg in a political party) following a middle or uncommitted course between contending extremes

third gear noun

The gear which is one faster than second, and usu one lower than top, in a gearbox

third gender noun (anthropology)

A class of people who identify themselves as neither male nor female

third-gender adjective

thirdˈ-generation adjective

(also 3G) relating to communications technology providing more advanced services than WAP technology

third-handˈ adjective

Third International see under international

third man noun (cricket)

A fielder, or a fielding position, near the boundary on the offside behind the slips

Third market noun (stock exchange, esp US)

1. Trade in listed stocks done otherwise than on the Stock Exchange
2. The market where such trade is done

third order noun

The lay members affiliated to a monastic order, who continue to live an ordinary life in the world

third party noun

A person other than the principal people involved (eg in the agreement between the insured and insurer)

thirdˈ-party adjective

third person see under person

thirdˈ-programme adjective

Highbrow, in allusion to the Third Programme (1946–70) of the BBC

third rail noun

A rail carrying electricity to an electrically-powered train

third rail noun

A rail carrying electricity to an electrically-powered train; a highly controversial topic that politicians choose not to discuss

third-rail system noun (elec eng)

A system of electric traction supply by which current is fed to the tractor from an insulated conductor rail running parallel with the track

thirdˈ-rate adjective

1. Of the third rank, class, order, etc
2. Of poor quality

third reading noun

1. (in a legislative assembly) in Britain the consideration of committee reports on a bill
2. In the USA the final consideration of a bill

Third Reich see under Reich

third sector noun

The part of a country's economy made up of charities, voluntary groups, non-profit-making organizations, etc

thirdsˈman noun

A mediator

third stream noun

A style of music having features of both jazz and classical music

thirdˈ-stream adjective

third wave noun

The age of information technology regarded as successor to the agrarian and industrial ages

third way noun

(esp in politics) a hitherto unconsidered alternative to two prevailing systems

third wheel noun (informal)

A person in a group of three whose presence is unwanted by the other two

Third World noun

The developing countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America, not aligned politically with the large power blocks

Third-Worlˈder noun

1. A person living in or from the Third World
2. A believer in or supporter of Third-Worldism

Third-Worlˈdism noun

An ideology which supports and encourages the development of the Third World

Picardy third

Tierce de Picardie