ternate

[ tur-nit, -neyt ]
/ ˈtɜr nɪt, -neɪt /

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.

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

Definition 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).

Example sentences from the Web for ternate

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