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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

TERTIAN, adj., n. Sc. usages:

†I. adj. In Sc. Universities: in the third year of the M.A. course, third-year.Abd. 1749 Abd. Journal (14 Nov.):
George Glen, in the Tertian, and Alexander Stuart in the Semi-class.Abd. 1799 Stat. Acc.¹ XXI. 85:
Tertian Class. — After a brief recapitulation of the subjects of the former year, the professor proceeds in the third year to dialling, conic sections, and fluxions; exercises in the last are continued through the remainder of the course. Experimental philosophy in its several branches, mechanics, hydrostatics, pneumatics, aerology, magnetism, electricity, etc. occupies the remaining part of the session.Sc. 1894 W. L. Low D. Thomson 83:
During my Tertian year.

II. n. A third year student studying for a degree in Arts at a Scottish University, now only in the universities of St Andrews and Aberdeen (Sc. 1880 Jam.).  Also tertiana, a third year female student at Aberdeen University.ne.Sc. 1826 Aberdeen Censor 175:
A host of empty-headed semis and tertians.Abd. 1874 N. MacLean Life at a Northern University 158:
The Bageants and Tertians against the Semis and the Magistrands.Sc. 1891 R. F. Murray Scarlet Gown 121:
In his second year he became a semi, in his third a tertian, and in his fourth a magistrand.Sc. 1895 A. M. Stoddart J. S. Blackie I. 228:
He followed the Natural Philosophy and Moral Philosophy courses as a tertian and a magistrand.Abd. 1929 K. E. Trail Reminisc. Old Aberdeen (1952) 105:
Bajans, semis, tertians and magistrands.Sc. 1946 R. G. Cant Univ. St Andrews 17:
The change from bachelor to tertian — a natural consequence of the disuse of the bachelor's degree after the Reformation — does not seem to have been made here until the nineteenth century. At Aberdeen it occurred very much earlier.ne.Sc. 1980 James Fowler Fraser Doctor Jimmy 43:
First year students were bajans and bajanellas, second year students were semis and semolinas, third year students were tertians and tertianas, and fourth year honours students were known as magistrands. The only class that had a name at Marischal was the first year medicals, i.e. lambs.