ternary(n = noun.quantity) 3, deuce-ace, iii, leash, tercet, ternion, terzetto, three, threesome, tierce, trey, triad, trine, trinity, trio, triplet, troika - the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one;
is a kind of digit, figure
ternary(s = adj.all) treble, triple, triplex - having three units or components or elements; "a ternary operation"; "a treble row of red beads"; "overcrowding made triple sessions necessary"; "triple time has three beats per measure"; "triplex windows"
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. 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,
A ternion; the number three; three things taken together; a triad. [1913 Webster]
"Some in ternaries, some in pairs, and some single." [1913 Webster]
ternary, adj.
1 composed of three parts.
2 Math. using three as a base (ternary scale).
Idiom:
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 f. L ternarius f. terni three each
N triality, trinity, triunity, three, triad, triplet, trey, trio, ternion, leash, shamrock, tierce, spike-team, trefoil, triangle, trident, triennium, trigon, trinomial, trionym, triplopia, tripod, trireme, triseme, triskele, triskelion, trisula, third power, cube, cube root, three, triform, trinal, trinomial, tertiary, ternary, triune, triarch, triadie, triple, tri-, tris-, tria juncta in uno.
N triplication, triplicity, trebleness, trine, treble, triple, tern, ternary, triplicate, threefold, trilogistic, third, trinal, trine, three times, three fold, thrice, in the third place, thirdly, trebly.