trit

	This is the JargonFile ^(V4.00) entry for trit - Next: trivial, Prev: treeware
: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, log2(3) bits).
* (text is auto-included via JargonExtension by mutante using jargon with VERSION 4.0.0, 24 JUL 1996* - JargonFile by Eric S. Raymond is in the public domain)*