binary system
1
3.5
- noun
- /ˈbaɪnəri ˈsɪstəm/
- Specialized
:
sistema binario
- The binary system was losing energy, and the neutron stars were drawing closer together.
We, we model the world using very advanced binary systems.
- We, we model the world using very advanced binary systems.
Examples
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In a computer, data is processed using the binary system, which consists of only the digits 0 and 1.
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In short, the two identities of the binary system can still exist with room for people who identify as both, neither, etc.
Blog text (15) -
With energy leaving the binary system, the two neutron stars would then draw closer together.
Academic text (2001) -
At the time of my writing, at least nine Galactic black hole candidates have been discovered in binary systems.
Academic text (2000) -
This observation confirmed his suspicion that the pulsar was a member of a binary system.
Academic text (2001) -
Taylor and Hulse earned a Nobel Prize in 1993 for their discovery and observations of this extraordinary binary system.
Academic text (2001) -
If the two galaxies in each binary system orbit each other, their redshifts should differ from one another by a slight amount.
Academic text (1995) -
Fortunately, the universe contains billions of galaxies, and astrophysicists can extrapolate from the known small sample of compact binary systems to estimate the rate of neutron star/neutron star mergers out to great distances.
Academic text (2001) -
The binary system is essential for understanding how computers represent information.
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When learning about programming, many people first encounter the binary system, which uses base two.
Synonyms
A way to write numbers using only 0 and 1
A number system that uses only the numbers 0 and 1, often used by computers
A way of writing numbers using only the digits 0 and 1
A way to write numbers and information using only the digits 0 and 1
How Complex
- Specialized
1
3.5
- Specialized
2
3.1
- Specialized
1
4.1
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a system that uses the digits 0 and 1' is directly and compositionally derived from 'binary' (pertaining to base‑2 numeration) modifying 'system' (a method or set of components). This follows a regular adjective+noun pattern and is not idiomatic or metaphorical, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
The noun binary system comes from a simple idea: binary means two and system means a way of doing something. Think of many light switches that are either 'on' or 'off' — these two states are like '0' and '1', so the phrase now means 'a way of counting or storing numbers using only 0 and 1'.