Bi·na·ry a.  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.


 Com·pound, n.
 1. That which is compounded or formed by the union or mixture of elements ingredients, or parts; a combination of simples; a compound word; the result of composition.
    Rare compound of oddity, frolic, and fun.   --Goldsmith.
    When the word =\“bishopric” was first made, it was made as a compound.\=   --Earle.
 2. Chem. A union of two or more ingredients in definite proportions by weight, so combined as to form a distinct substance; as, water is a compound of oxygen and hydrogen.
 Note: ☞ Every definite chemical compound always contains the same elements, united in the same proportions by weight, and with the same internal arrangement.
 Binary compound Chem.. See under Binary.
 Carbon compounds Chem.. See under Carbon.

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 binary compound
      n : chemical compound composed of only two elements