Ternary
/ˈtɜːr.nər.i/noun
Relating to, composed of, or involving three parts, elements, or states.
Did you know?Ternary ultimately descends from the ancient Indo-European word for “three,” a number repeatedly treated as symbolically complete in triads such as the Trinity and triple deities.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*tréyes
“Three; the reconstructed ancestral numeral”
Ancient Greek
Greek
treîs
“Three”
Classical Latin
Latin
trēs
“Three”
Classical Latin
Latin
ternī
“Three each; in groups of three”
Classical Latin
Latin
ternārius
“Of three; consisting of three”
17th Century
English
ternary
“Consisting of three or arranged in threes”
Modern English
English
ternary
“Relating to three parts, elements, or states”