I. ˈbī-nə-rē, -ˌner-ē, -ˌne-rē noun
( plural -ries )
Date: 15th century
: something made of or based on two things or parts: as
a. : binary star
b. : a binary number system
II. adjective
Etymology: Late Latin binarius, from Latin bini two by two — more at bin-
Date: 1597
1. : compounded or consisting of or marked by two things or parts
2.
a. : duple — used of measure or rhythm
b. : having two musical subjects or two complementary sections
3.
a. : relating to, being, or belonging to a system of numbers having 2 as its base
the binary digits 0 and 1
b. : involving a choice or condition of two alternatives (as on-off or yes-no)
4.
a. : composed of two chemical elements, an element and a radical that acts as an element, or two such radicals
b. : utilizing two harmless ingredients that upon combining form a lethal substance (as a gas)
binary weapons
5. : relating two logical or mathematical elements
a binary operation
6. : of or relating to the use of stable oppositions (as good and evil) to analyze a subject or create a structural model
the binary opposition of male and female — Joan W. Scott