Emily Dickinson Lexicon

BI'NA-RY, a. [L. binus, two and two.]

Binary arithmetic, the invention of Leibnitz, is that in which two figures only, 0 and 1, are used, in lieu of ten; the cipher multiplying every thing by 2, as in common arithmetic by 10. Thus, 1 is one; 10 is two; 11 is three; 100 is four; 101 is five; 110 is six; 111 is seven; 1000 is eight; 1001 is nine; 1010 is ten. It is said this species of arithmetic has been used by the Chinese for 4000 years, being left in enigma by Fohi. – Encyc. Binary measure, in music, is that used in common time, in which the time of rising in beating, is equal to the time of falling. – Encyc. Binary number, is that which is composed of two units. – Encyc.