Being of the third formation, order, or rank; third; as, a tertiary use of a word.
2.
(Chem.) Possessing some quality in the third degree; having been subjected to the substitution of three atoms or radicals; as, a tertiary alcohol, amine, or salt. Cf. Primary, and Secondary.
3.
(Geol.) Later than, or subsequent to, the Secondary.
4.
(Zool.) Growing on the innermost joint of a bird's wing; tertial; said of quills.
... the suppression and prevention of acute diseases by drugs, knife, x-rays, serums, vaccination virus, etc., the greater will be the increase of chronic dyspepsia, nervous prostration, insanity, locomotor ataxy, paresis, cancer, secondary and tertiary syphilis, tuberculosis and many other so-called incurable diseases. Thus, the standard medical practice is self-supporting; the treatment of acute conditions assuring a lifelong supply of chronic conditions for the ... — Nature Cure • Henry Lindlahr
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