| tern | <ornithology> Any one of numerous species of long-winged aquatic birds, allied to the gulls, and belonging to Sterna and various allied genera. Terns differ from gulls chiefly in their graceful form, in their weaker and more slender bills and feet, and their longer and more pointed wings. The tail is usually forked. most of the species are white with the back and wings pale gray, and often with a dark head. The common European tern (Sterna hirundo) is found also in Asia and America. Among other American species are the arctic tern (S. Paradisaea), the roseate tern (S. Dougalli), the least tern (S. Antillarum), the royal tern (S. Maxima), and the sooty tern (S. Fuliginosa). Hooded tern. See Fairy bird, under Fairy. Marsh tern, any tern of the genus Hydrochelidon. They frequent marshes and rivers and feed largely upon insects. River tern, any tern belonging to Seena or allied genera which frequent rivers. Sea tern, any tern of the genus Thalasseus. Terns of this genus have very long, pointed wings, and chiefly frequent seas and the mouths of large rivers. Origin: Dan. Terne, taerne; akin to Sw. Tarna, Icel. Erna; cf. NL. Sterna. Threefold; triple; consisting of three; ternate. <botany> Tern flowers, a three-masted schooner. Origin: L. Pl. Terni three each, three; akin to tres three. See Three, and cf. Trine. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| ternary | 1. Proceeding by threes; consisting of three; as, the ternary number was anciently esteemed a symbol of perfection, and held in great veneration. 2. <chemistry> 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. Origin: L. Ternarius, fr. Terni. See Tern. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| ternary complex | Term used to describe the tripartite combination of, for example, enzyme-cofactor-substrate or enzyme-substrate1-substrate2 for a multisubstrate enzyme, the active form involved in many enzyme-catalyzed reactions. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ternate | ,plant biology> In groups of three, of leaves, arranged in whorls of three, of a single leaf, having the leaflets arranged in groups of three. (13 Jan 1998) |