tertium quid

[tur-shee-uhm kwid, ter-ti-oom kwid]

noun

1. something related in some way to two things, but distinct from both; something intermediate between two things.

tertium quid

/ ˈtɜːtɪəm ˈkwɪd /

noun

1. an unknown or indefinite thing related in some way to two known or definite things, but distinct from both

   there is either right or wrong, with no tertium quid

Word History and Origins

Origin of tertium quid¹

1715–25; < Latin, translation of Greek tríton·ti some third thing

Word History and Origins

Origin of tertium quid¹

C18: from Late Latin, rendering Greek triton ti some third thing