Category:Ternary

Ter"na*ry, a. Etym: [l. ternarius, fr. terni. See tern, a.]

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.)

Defn: 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.

Ternary Ter"na*ry, n.; pl. Ternaries (.

Defn: a ternion; the number three; three things taken together; a Triad. Some in ternaries, some in pairs, and some single. Holder.