iii

third

numeral TEHR-tsoh Less Common

Origin: Roman numeral representing three.

Usage Note

III is the Roman numeral for three, used in Italian to number monarchs, popes, chapters, and centuries (e.g. Carlo III, il III capitolo). When read aloud it is pronounced terzo (ordinal). Italian schoolbooks and formal texts prefer Roman numerals in these contexts where English might use Arabic numerals.

Examples

"Papa Giovanni III regnò brevemente."

Natural Translation

Pope John III reigned briefly.

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