TERNATELY Meaning and
Definition
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Ternately is an adverb that refers to something occurring or happening in turns or alternating sequences. It can also describe an action or behavior that is performed alternatively or in a back-and-forth manner.
In its literal sense, the term can be used to describe a rhythm, sequence, or pattern where two or more things take turns or occur in an alternating order. For example, if a group of people were taking turns sharing their opinions, each person would speak ternately. Similarly, if two colors were arranged in an alternating pattern, they could be said to be arranged ternately.
In a figurative sense, ternately can describe a behavior or action that is performed in an alternating or reciprocating manner. For instance, if two people were taking turns giving compliments to each other, they would be engaging in ternately praising. This term can also be applied to describe actions that are performed in an alternating or oscillating way, such as ternately arguing or ternately changing one's mind.
Overall, ternately is a versatile adverb that encompasses various scenarios where things occur in turns, alternate patterns, or reciprocal actions.
Common Misspellings for TERNATELY
Etymology of TERNATELY
The word "ternately" is derived from the adjective "ternate" and the suffix "-ly".
The term "ternate" comes from the Latin word "ternus", meaning "threefold" or "in threes". It is composed of the root "ter", meaning "three", and the suffix "-nus", denoting possession or belonging.
The addition of the suffix "-ly" converts the adjective "ternate" into an adverb, indicating manner or quality. Thus, "ternately" refers to something occurring in a pattern of threes or happening one after another in a sequence of three.
