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binary

[bahy-nuh-ree, -ner-ee]

Origin

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adjective

consisting of, indicating, or involving two.

Mathematics.

of or pertaining to a system of numerical notation to the base 2, in which each place of a number, expressed as 0 or 1, corresponds to a power of 2. The decimal number 58 appears as 111010 in binary notation, since 58 = 1 × 2⁵ + 1 × 2⁴ + 1 × 2³ + 0 × 2² + 1 × 2¹ + 0 × 2⁰.

of or pertaining to the digits or numbers used in binary notation.

of or pertaining to a binary system.

(of an operation) assigning a third quantity to two given quantities, as in the addition of two numbers.

Chemistry. noting a compound containing only two elements or groups, as sodium chloride, methyl bromide, or methyl hydroxide.

Metallurgy. (of an alloy) having two principal constituents.

noun

a whole composed of two.

Astronomy. binary star.

Also called binary number. Mathematics. a number expressed in the binary system of notation.

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Binary is always a great word to know.

So is independent variable. Does it mean:

problem solving defined only for an isolated set of points, using only arithmetic and algebra; not involving calculus

a variable in a functional relation whose value determines the value or values of other variables, such as x in the relation y = 3x

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Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin bīnārius, equivalent to bīn(ī) (see bin-) + -ārius -ary

Can be confused: binary, bindery.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To Binary

Collins

World English Dictionary

binary (ˈbaɪnərɪ)

—*adj*
1.	composed of, relating to, or involving two; dual
2.	maths, computing of, relating to, or expressed in binary notation or binary code
3.	(of a compound or molecule) containing atoms of two different elements
4.	metallurgy (of an alloy) consisting of two components or phases
5.	(of an educational system) consisting of two parallel forms of education such as the grammar school and the secondary modern in Britain
6.	maths, logic (of a relation, expression, or operation) applying to two elements of its domain; having two argument places; dyadic

—n , -ries
7.	something composed of two parts or things
8.	astronomy See binary star
9.	short for binary weapon

[C16: from Late Latin bīnārius; see bin-]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

binary

mid-15c., from L.L. binarius "consisting of two," from bini "twofold, two apiece, two-by-two," from bis "double" (see bis-). Binary code in computer terminology was in use by 1952, though the idea itself is ancient. Binary star in astronomy is from 1802.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage

Medical Dictionary

binary bi·na·ry (bī'nə-rē)
adj.

Characterized by or consisting of two parts or components; twofold.
Consisting of or containing only molecules having two kinds of atoms.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage

Science Dictionary

binary (bī'nə-rē) Pronunciation Key

Having two parts.
Mathematics Based on the number 2 or the binary number system.

American Heritage

Cultural Dictionary

binary [(beye-nuh-ree, beye-ner-ee)]

Anything composed of two parts. In modern computers, information is stored in banks of components that act like switches. Since switches can be either on or off, they have a binary character, and we say that the computer uses “binary arithmetic” to do its work.

FOLDOC

Computing Dictionary

binary definition

1. Base two. A number representation consisting of zeros and ones used by practically all computers because of its ease of implementation using digital electronics and Boolean algebra.
2. binary file.
3. A description of an operator which takes two arguments. See also unary, ternary.
(2005-02-21)

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binary code binary digit binary operation binary pulsar binary-coded decimal system bitstream

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Matching Quote

"Despite many assertions to the contrary, the brain is not "like a computer." Yes, the brain has many electrical connections, just like a computer. But at each point in a computer only a binary decision can be made—yes or no, on or off, 0 or 1. Each point in the brain, each brain cell, contains all the genetic information necessary to reproduce the entire organism. A brain cell is not a switch. It has a memory; it can be subtle. Each brain cell is like a computer. The brain is like a hundred billion computers all connected together. It is impossible to understand because it is too complex. As Emerson Pugh wrote, "If the human brain was so simple that we could understand it, we would be so simple that we couldn't.""

-Jean M. Goodwin

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