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of numerous species of long-winged aquatic birds, allied to the gulls, and belonging to Sterna and various allied genera.

Proceeding by threes; consisting of three; as, the ternary number was anciently esteemed a symbol of perfection, and held in great veneration.

Having the parts arranged by threes; as, ternate branches, leaves, or flowers. -- Ter"nate*ly, adv.

Thin iron sheets coated with an alloy of lead and tin; -- so called because made up of three metals.

The number three; three things together; a ternary. Bp. Hall.

The part of the day which follows noon, between noon and evening.

An ornamental evergreen shrub (Rhamnus alaternus) belonging to the buckthorns.

Acting by turns; alternate. Milton. Altern base (Trig.), a second side made base, in distinction from a side previously regarded as base.

Alternateness; alternation. [R.] Mitford.

Composed of alternate layers, as some rocks.

A usage, among diplomats, of rotation in precedence among representatives of equal rank, sometimes determined by lot and at other times in regular order. The practice obtains in the signing of treaties and conventions between nations.

ion of time or place; by turns first one and then the other; hence, reciprocal. And bid alternate passions fall and rise. Pope.

In reciprocal succession; succeeding by turns; in alternate order.

The quality of being alternate, or of following by turns.

A current which periodically changes or reverses its direction of flow.

uccession of things in time or place; the act of following and being followed by turns; alternate succession, performance, or occurrence; as, the alternation of day and night, cold and heat, summer and winter, hope and fear.

Disjunctive; as, an alternative conjunction.

In the manner of alternatives, or that admits the choice of one out of two things.

The quality of being alternative, or of offering a choice between two.

An electric generator or dynamo for producing alternating currents.