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a. [ 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). [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]