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Glite Dictionary
ternate

ternate

9.9
Leaves or leaf parts that grow in groups of three
  • adjective
  • /ˈtɜrnɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : ternado
  • Many woodland flowers display ternate leaf arrangements along their stems.

Examples

  • The clover plant is easily recognized by its ternate leaves.

  • The botanist noted that the leaf was ternate, not simple or pinnate.

  • The ternate leaves of the plant are quite unique.

  • Can you identify the ternate leaf structure?

  • Many woodland flowers display ternate leaf arrangements along their stems.

  • The clover plant is easily recognized by its ternate leaves.

  • The botanist noted that the leaf was ternate, not simple or pinnate.

How Many

quaternate
  • Specialized
9.9
ternate
  • Specialized
9.9
bifoliate
  • Specialized
9.9
unifoliate
  • Specialized
9.9

Surface Forms

ternate positive

Morphology

ternate = ternary (semi-transparent) = tern + ate

The combining form is not a common standalone English base, but the related adjective 'ternary' is recognizable, so some learners may infer the meaning.

Etymology

Ternate comes from the Latin root tern- meaning 'three', so think of triple or trio as a memory hook. So a ternate leaf is one arranged in groups of three, like a clover.