Ter|ti|ar|y

ter|ti|ar|y «TUR shee _EHR ee, -shuhr-», adjective, noun, plural -ar|ies.

–adj.

1. of the third order, rank, or formation; third.

2. Chemistry. a) of or having to do with a carbon atom joined to three other carbon atoms in a chain or ring. b) resulting from the replacement of three atoms or groups.

3. = tertial. (Cf. ↑tertial)

–n.

1. one of a bird's flight feathers; tertial feather.

2. a lay member of the third order of certain monastic fraternities of the Roman Catholic Church, not subject to strict rules.

╂[< Latin tertiārius, adjective, of or having to do with a (or the) third < tertius third]

Ter|ti|ar|y «TUR shee _EHR ee, -shuhr-», noun, plural -ar|ies, adjective.

–n.

1. the earlier of the two periods making up the Cenozoic era, immediately following the Mesozoic. During this time the great mountain systems, such as the Alps, Himalayas, Rockies, and Andes, appeared, and rapid development of mammals occurred.

2. the rocks formed during this period.

–adj.

of or having to do with this period or its rocks.