tertium quid

[ tur-shee-uhm kwid; Latin 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

Example Sentences

Both agree in Ens. Ens is a tertium quid — distinct from both.

From Project Gutenberg

Existence or reality therefore must be a tertium quid, apart from motion and rest, not the sum total of those two items.

From Project Gutenberg

Is Good identical with pleasure, or with intelligence, or is it a Tertium Quid, distinct from both?

From Project Gutenberg

One party stood by the Harkeys, and another took Sarah's part, while the tertium quid said it was "all darn foolishness."

From Project Gutenberg

This means something which is neither a variety nor yet a species—a tertium quid.

From Project Gutenberg