I. ˈtərnərē adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin ternarius, from terni three each + -arius -ary
1.
a. : consisting of or based on three : proceeding by threes
ternary method of counting
b. : having three elements, parts, or divisions : threefold , triple
c. : arranged in threes
ternary petals
2.
a. : using three as the base
ternary numeration
ternary logarithm
b. : involving three variables
ternary form
3. : consisting of an alloy of three elements
4. : containing, consisting of, or relating to three different parts (as elements, atoms, radicals or components)
sulfuric acid is a ternary acid
ternary liquid mixtures
5. : relating or belonging to a crystal system in which 3-sided forms occur
6. : third in a series, order, or rank
II. noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English, from ternary (I)
obsolete : a set or group of three