terce

The third of the seven canonical hours. No longer in liturgical use.

The time of day appointed for this service, usually the third hour after sunrise.

A third; a third part.

Same as tierce, 3.

In Scots law, a right corresponding to dower in English law; a real right whereby a widow who has not accepted any special provision is entitled to a life-rent of one third of the heritage in which her husband died infeft, provided the marriage has endured for a year and a day, or has produced a living child. No widow is entitled to her terce until she is regularly kenned to it. See ken, transitive verb, 5.

In the Roman Catholic and Greek churches, and in religious houses, and as a devotional office in the Anglican Church, the office of the third hour: originally and properly said half-way between sunrise and noon. See canonical hours, under canonical.

See tierce.

The third canonical hour; about 9 a.m.

the third canonical hour; about 9 a.m.