Ternary — Ter na*ry, a. [L. ternarius, fr. terni. See {Tern}, a.] 1. Proceeding by threes; consisting of three; as, the ternary number was anciently esteemed a symbol of perfection, and held in great veneration. [1913 Webster] 2. (Chem.) Containing, or… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Ternary — Ter na*ry, n.; pl. {Ternaries}. A ternion; the number three; three things taken together; a triad. [1913 Webster] Some in ternaries, some in pairs, and some single. Holder. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
ternary — (adj.) early 15c., from L.L. ternarius consisting of three, from terni three by three, from ter thrice, which is related to tres three (see THREE (Cf. three)) … Etymology dictionary
ternary — ► ADJECTIVE 1) composed of three parts. 2) Mathematics using three as a base. ORIGIN Latin ternarius, from terni three at once … English terms dictionary
ternary — [tʉr′nə rē] adj. [ME < L ternarius < terni, three each < tres,THREE] 1. made up of three parts or things; threefold; triple 2. third in order or rank 3. Chem. of or containing three different atoms, elements, radicals, etc. 4. Math. a) … English World dictionary
ternary — adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Latin ternarius, from terni three each; akin to Latin tres three more at three Date: 15th century 1. a. of, relating to, or proceeding by threes b. having three elements, parts, or divisions c. arranged… … New Collegiate Dictionary
ternary — adj. 1 composed of three parts. 2 Math. using three as a base (ternary scale). Phrases and idioms: ternary form Mus. the form of a movement in which the first subject is repeated after an interposed second subject in a related key. Etymology: ME… … Useful english dictionary
ternary — 1. adjective a) Made up of three things; treble, triadic, triple, triplex Perhaps the prettiest number system of all ... is the balanced ternary notation b) Arranged in groups of three … Wiktionary
ternary — Denoting or comprised of three compounds, elements, molecules, etc. [L. ternarius, of three] * * * ter·na·ry tər nə rē adj 1) having three elements, parts, or divisions 2 a) being or consisting of an alloy of three elements b) of, relating to, or … Medical dictionary
Ternary computer — Ternary computers (also sometimes referred to as trinary) use three valued logic in their calculations. History One of the earliest calculating machines, built by Thomas Fowler entirely from wood in 1840, was a ternary computer. The only modern… … Wikipedia
