trit

trit
 /trit/, n.

   [by analogy with bit] One base-3 digit; the amount of information
   conveyed by a selection among one of three equally likely outcomes
   (see also {bit}). Trits arise, for example, in the context of a {flag}
   that should actually be able to assume three values -- such as yes,
   no, or unknown. Trits are sometimes jokingly called 3-state bits. A
   trit may be semi-seriously referred to as a bit and a half, although
   it is linearly equivalent to 1.5849625 bits (that is, log_{2$(3)}
   bits).
    

trit

   <unit> /trit/ (By analogy with "{bit}") One base-3 digit; the
   amount of information conveyed by a selection among one of
   three equally likely outcomes.  Trits arise, for example, in
   the context of a {flag} that should actually be able to assume
   *three* values - such as yes, no, or unknown.  Trits are
   sometimes jokingly called "3-state bits".  A trit may be
   semi-seriously referred to as "a bit and a half", although it
   is linearly equivalent to 1.5849625 bits (that is, log2(3)
   bits).

   [{Jargon File}]

   (1995-05-11)