ternate
[tur-nit, -neyt]
- consisting of three; arranged in threes.
- Botany.
- consisting of three leaflets, as a compound leaf.
- having leaves arranged in whorls of three, as a plant.
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Origin of ternate
Ternate
[ter-nah-te; English ter-nah-tee]
- an island in E Indonesia, W of Halmahera: important source of spices. 53 sq. mi. (137 sq. km).
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
threefold, treble, triple, trilateral, ternary, third, trinitarian, trine, triangular, pyramidal, ternate, trichotomous, trigonal, trigonous, trinal, trinary, tripartiteExamples from the Web for ternate
Historical Examples
You can all lend a hand till I land you at Amboyna or Ternate.
Rodman The Boatsteerer And Other StoriesLouis Becke
We belong to the island of Ternate—our king is at war with the Portuguese, who are villains.
The Phantom ShipFrederick Marryat
To avoid repetitions, I will in this chapter combine what notes I have about Ternate.
The Malay ArchipelagoAlfred Russell Wallace
Jussiea, with ternate leaves, abrupt and three-toothed at their extremities.
Lachesis LapponicaCarl von Linn
Trifoliolate (or ternate), of three leaflets, as the Clover; and so on.
The Elements of BotanyAsa Gray
ternate
- (esp of a leaf) consisting of three leaflets or other parts
- (esp of plants) having groups of three members
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Word Origin
C18: from New Latin ternātus, from Medieval Latin ternāre to increase threefold
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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