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Definitions from WordNet

Definitions from the Web

Tern

Noun

The term "tern" refers to a type of seabird belonging to the family Sternidae, characterized by their long, pointed wings and forked tail.

Sense 1:

These elegant birds are known for their graceful flight and are commonly found near coastal areas.

Example sentence: The Arctic Tern is famous for its incredible annual migration from the Arctic to the Antarctic.

Sense 2:

"Tern" can also be used to describe a person who frequently changes their opinion, intention, or loyalty.

Example sentence: David was known as a political tern, switching sides whenever it benefited his career.

Adjective

When used as an adjective, "tern" means consisting of three or having three parts.

Sense 1:

In geometry, a tern figure refers to a shape with three sides or angles.

Example sentence: A triangle is a common example of a tern polygon.

Sense 2:

When discussing musical compositions, "tern" can refer to a piece of music composed of three sections.

Example sentence: The classical symphony follows a traditional tern form, consisting of an exposition, development, and recapitulation.

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