Definition of "tierce" [tierce•tier•cé]

• Ecclesiastical The third of the seven canonical hours. No longer in liturgical use. (noun)
• Ecclesiastical The time of day appointed for this service, usually the third hour after sunrise. (noun)
• A measure of liquid capacity, equal to a third of a pipe, or 42 gallons (159 liters). (noun)
• Games A sequence of three cards of the same suit. (noun)
• Sports The third position from which a parry or thrust can be made in fencing. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Once the Duke thrust in tierce and Jack's sword arm wavered an instant, and a splash of crimson appeared on his sleeve."
• "My lord parried gracefully in tierce, and chuckled softly to himself."
• "Sequences of 3-8 cards are called tierce, quart, quint, sixième, septième and huitième respectively."