binary
[ bahy-nuh-ree, -ner-ee ]
/ ˈbaɪ nə ri, -nɛr i /
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adjective
noun, plural bi·na·ries.
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Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
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Origin of binary
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH binary
binary , binderyWords nearby binary
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for binary
British Dictionary definitions for binary
binary
/ (ˈbaɪnərɪ) /
adjective
noun plural -ries
Word Origin for binary
C16: from Late Latin bīnārius; see bin-
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medical definitions for binary
binary
[ bī′nə-rē ]
adj.
Characterized by or consisting of two parts or components; twofold.
Consisting of or containing only molecules having two kinds of atoms.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for binary
binary
[ bī′nə-rē ]
Having two parts.
Mathematics Based on the number 2 or the binary number system.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for binary
binary
[ (beye-nuh-ree, beye-ner-ee) ]
Anything composed of two parts. In modern computers, information is stored in banks of components that act like switches. Since switches can be either on or off, they have a binary character, and we say that the computer uses “binary arithmetic” to do its work.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.