el tercero

Definition & meaning

The word tercero functions primarily in two ways in Spanish:

1. Ordinal number: It means "third," referring to the position of something in a sequence (e.g., the third person in line).
2. Noun/Legal entity: It refers to a "third party" or an outsider who is not directly involved in a primary agreement or relationship between two other entities. In common speech, it can also refer to a "mediator" or "arbitrator."

Grammar & Word origin

• Grammar: It is an ordinal adjective that must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies (e.g., la tercera casa - the third house). When used as an adjective before a masculine singular noun, it undergoes apocope, dropping the final 'o' to become tercer. As a noun, it typically refers to a person or entity.
• Word origin: It derives from the Latin tertius, meaning "third." It is part of the sequence primero, segundo, tercero.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

• Tercer ↗ (the shortened form used before masculine nouns).
• Mediador ↗ (in the sense of a third party involved in a conflict).
• Arbitro ↗ (someone who acts as a third party to settle a dispute).

Antonyms:

• Primero ↗ (first).
• Último ↗ (last, in a sequence of three).