Tern (?), a. [L. pl. terni three each, three; akin to tres three. See Three, and cf. Trine.] Threefold; triple; consisting of three; ternate.
Tern flowers(Bot.), flowers growing three and three together. — Tern leaves(Bot.), leaves arranged in threes, or three by three, or having three in each whorl or set. — Tern peduncles(Bot.), three peduncles growing together from the same axis. — Tern schooner(Naut.), a three-masted schooner.