Dictionary.com

ternate

[ tur-nit, -neyt ]
/ ˈtɜr nɪt, -neɪt /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for ternate on Thesaurus.com
adjective
consisting of three; arranged in threes.
Botany.
  1. consisting of three leaflets, as a compound leaf.
  2. having leaves arranged in whorls of three, as a plant.
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.
who
whom
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of ternate

From the New Latin word ternātus, dating back to 1745–55. See tern2, -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM ternate

ter·nate·ly, adverb

Words nearby ternate

tern, terna, ternary, ternary form, ternary operation, ternate, terne, terne metal, terneplate, tern foot, Terni

Other definitions for ternate (2 of 2)

Ternate
[ ter-nah-te; English ter-nah-tee ]
/ tɛrˈnɑ tɛ; English tərˈnɑ ti /
noun
an island in E Indonesia, W of Halmahera: important source of spices. 53 sq. mi. (137 sq. km).
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to ternate

threefold, ternary, third, treble, trilateral, trinitarian, triple, trine, pyramidal, triangular, trichotomic, trigonal, trigonous, trinal, trinary, tripartite

How to use ternate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ternate

ternate
/ (ˈtɜːnɪt, -neɪt) /
adjective
(esp of a leaf) consisting of three leaflets or other parts
(esp of plants) having groups of three members

Derived forms of ternate

ternately, adverb

Word Origin for ternate

C18: from New Latin ternātus, from Medieval Latin ternāre to increase threefold
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
FEEDBACK