Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Binary
Bi′na-ry
,Adj.
[L.
binarius
, fr. bini
two by two, two at a time, fr. root of bis
twice; akin to E. two
: cf. F. binaire
.] Compounded or consisting of two things or parts; characterized by two (things).
Binary arithmetic
, that in which numbers are expressed according to the binary scale, or in which two figures only, 0 and 1, are used, in lieu of ten; the cipher multiplying everything by two, as in common arithmetic by ten. Thus, 1 is one; 10 is two; 11 is three; 100 is four, etc.
Davies & Peck.
– Binary compound
(Chem.)
, a compound of two elements, or of an element and a compound performing the function of an element, or of two compounds performing the function of elements.
– Binary logarithms
, a system of logarithms devised by Euler for facilitating musical calculations, in which 1 is the logarithm of 2, instead of 10, as in the common logarithms, and the modulus 1.442695 instead of .43429448.
– Binary measure
(Mus.)
, measure divisible by two or four; common time.
– Binary nomenclature
(Nat. Hist.)
, nomenclature in which the names designate both genus and species.
– Binary scale
(Arith.)
, a uniform scale of notation whose ratio is two.
– Binary star
(Astron.)
, a double star whose members have a revolution round their common center of gravity.
– Binary theory
(Chem.)
, the theory that all chemical compounds consist of two constituents of opposite and unlike qualities.
Bi′na-ry
,Noun.
That which is constituted of two figures, things, or parts; two; duality.
Fotherby.
Webster 1828 Edition
Binary
BI'NARY
,Adj.
Binary arithmetic, the invention of Leibnitz, is that in which two figures only, 0 and 1, are used, in lieu of ten; the cypher multiplying every thing by two, as in common arithmetic by 10. Thus, 1 is one; 10 is two; 11 is three; 100 is four; 101 is five; 110 is six; 111, is seven; 1000 is eight; 1001 is nine; 1010 is ten. It is said this species of arithmetic has been used by the Chinese for 4000 years, being left in enigma by Fohi.
Binary measure, in music, is that used in common time, in which the time of rising in beating, is equal to the time of falling.
Binary number is that which is composed of two units.
BI'NARY
,Noun.