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Webster 1913 Edition

Ternary

Ter′na-ry

,
Adj.
[L.
ternarius
, fr.
terni
. See
Tern
,
Adj.
]
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.
;
pl.
Ternaries
.
A ternion; the number three; three things taken together; a triad.
Some in
ternaries
, some in pairs, and some single.
Holder.

Webster 1828 Edition

Ternary

TERN'ARY

,
Adj.
[L. ternarius, of three.] Proceeding by threes; consisting of three.
The ternary number, in antiquity, was esteemed a symbol of perfection and held in great veneration.

TERN'ARY

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