1. (a.) Proceeding by threes; consisting of three; as, the ternary number was anciently esteemed a symbol of perfection, and held in great veneration.

2. (a.) 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.

3. (n.) A ternion; the number three; three things taken together; a triad.

clover deuce-ace leash set of three shamrock tercet tern ternal ternate ternion terzetto three three-ply threefold threesome tierce treble trefoil trey triad trialogue triangle tricorn trident triennium trihedron trilogic trilogy trimester trinal trine trinity trinomial trio triphthong triple triple crown triple threat triplet triplex triplicate triplopy tripod triptych trireme triseme triskelion trisul triumvirate triunity trivet troika