adj.
Pronunciation: ' t ə r-n ə -r ē
Function: 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 in threes < ternary petals>
2 : using three as the base <a ternary logarithm>
3 a : being or consisting of an alloy of three elements b : of, relating to, or containing three different elements, atoms, radicals, or groups <sulfuric acid is a ternary acid>
4 : third in order or rank