ternary Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
    deuce-ace; trio; triplet; tercet; tierce; troika; three; trey; 3; ternion; trine; triad; threesome; leash; III; trinity; terzetto.
  2. adjective satellite having three units or components or elements
    treble; triple; triplex.
    • a ternary operation
    • a treble row of red beads
    • overcrowding made triple sessions necessary
    • triple time has three beats per measure
    • triplex windows

WordNet

Ter"na*ry adjective
Etymology
L. ternarius, fr. terni. See Tern, a.
Definitions
  1. Proceeding by threes; consisting of three; as, the ternary number was anciently esteemed a symbol of perfection, and held in great veneration.
  2. (Chem.) Containing, or consisting of, three different parts, as elements, atoms, groups, or radicals, which are regarded as having different functions or relations in the molecule; thus, sodic hydroxide, NaOH, is a ternary compound.
Ter"na*ry noun
Wordforms
plural Ternaries
Definitions
  1. A ternion; the number three; three things taken together; a triad.
    Some in ternaries, some in pairs, and some single. Holder.

Webster 1913