%ternate%

n. 1. That which alternates with something else; vicissitude. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Grateful alternates of substantial. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A substitute; one designated to take the place of another, if necessary, in performing some duty. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Math.) A proportion derived from another proportion by interchanging the means. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Alternated; p. pr. & vb. n. Alternating. ] [ L. alternatus, p. p. of alternare. See Altern. ] To perform by turns, or in succession; to cause to succeed by turns; to interchange regularly. [ 1913 Webster ]

The most high God, in all things appertaining unto this life, for sundry wise ends alternates the disposition of good and evil. Grew. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To happen, succeed, or act by turns; to follow reciprocally in place or time; -- followed by with; as, the flood and ebb tides alternate with each other. [ 1913 Webster ]

Rage, shame, and grief alternate in his breast. J. Philips. [ 1913 Webster ]

Different species alternating with each other. Kirwan. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To vary by turns; as, the land alternates between rocky hills and sandy plains. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. 1. In reciprocal succession; succeeding by turns; in alternate order. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Math.) By alternation; when, in a proportion, the antecedent term is compared with antecedent, and consequent. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of being alternate, or of following by turns. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Pref. bi- + ternate. ] (Bot.) Doubly ternate, as when a petiole has three ternate leaflets. -- Bi*ter"nate*ly, adv. Gray. [1913 Webster]

v. t. to cause to be confused; confuse emotionally; to dismay.
Syn. -- confuse, flurry, disconcert, put off, bewilder, bemuse, discombobulate, throw. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

v. i. To fraternize; to hold fellowship. Jefferson.

a. Composed of, or arranged in, sets of four; quaternary; as, quaternate leaves. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Succeeding by turns; successive. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Subordinate; subaltern; inferior. [ 1913 Webster ]

All their subalternate and several kinds. Evelyn. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Logic) A particular proposition, as opposed to a universal one. See Subaltern, 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ NL. ternatus, fr. L. terni three each. See Tern, a. ] Having the parts arranged by threes; as, ternate branches, leaves, or flowers. -- Ter"nate*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

a. (Bot.) Triternate. [ 1913 Webster ]