Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Ternate \Ter"nate\, a. [NL. ternatus, fr. L. terni three each.
   See {Tern}, a.]
   Having the parts arranged by threes; as, ternate branches,
   leaves, or flowers. -- {Ter"nate*ly}, adv.

Source : WordNet®

ternate
     adj : of a leaf shape; consisting of three leaflets or sections