third man

American  

noun

1. Cricket.

   1. the position of a fielder on the off side between slip and point.

   2. the fielder occupying this position.

2. Lacrosse.

   1. the position of a player, first in the line of defense between center and goal.

   2. the player occupying this position.

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third man British  

noun

1. cricket

   1. a fielding position on the off side near the boundary behind the batsman's wicket

   2. a fielder in this position

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Etymology

Origin of third man

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

“The third man,” began my mystical aunt, her hands gliding over the globe on her table, “he is your Future.”

From Literature

I learned later that Mrs. Thayer sat down with this third man of her Future at his detective agency, and she provided a full confession about her lover’s wicked deed.

From Literature

The chase scene that ends episode 1—“Slightly Foxed,” which is a bookseller term as well as the state of the police—plays like an homage to “The Third Man,” with London substituted for postwar Vienna, the shadows borrowed from Carol Reed and the angles straight out of German expressionist cinema.

From The Wall Street Journal

Head could have also been caught by Carse at third man, albeit off an incredibly difficult diving chance, and belted a return catch back at off-spinner Jacks, who put down a one-hander.

From BBC

A third man who is suspected of absconding at the same time was arrested in Bristol on Saturday.

From BBC