terna: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Official, Ecclesiastical
Quick answer
What does “terna” mean?
An official list or slate of three people nominated, especially for a political or ecclesiastical office.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An official list or slate of three people nominated, especially for a political or ecclesiastical office.
A list of three suitable candidates submitted for a position or honor. In Catholic canon law, a list of three candidates from which a bishop is selected.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes formal nomination procedures, bureaucracy, and official selection.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general usage, found almost exclusively in official documents and reports concerning political or church appointments.
Grammar
How to Use “terna” in a Sentence
[Subject/Authority] submitted a terna of [three candidates] to [Authority].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; potentially in formal HR for executive selection.
Academic
Used in political science and religious studies texts.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Standard term in Catholic canon law and some political/governmental nomination processes.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “terna”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “terna”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “terna”
- Using it as a general term for any shortlist (it specifically implies three candidates).
- Misspelling as 'turna' or 'tirna'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency, specialized term used mainly in formal political and ecclesiastical contexts.
Yes, etymologically from Latin 'terni' (three each), it is strictly a list or slate of three candidates.
In most general contexts, 'shortlist' is preferable. Use 'terna' only when you need to specify the exact number (three) or are referring to the specific formal procedure.
Yes, it can be used in other formal nomination processes, such as for certain government or academic appointments, though this is rarer.
An official list or slate of three people nominated, especially for a political or ecclesiastical office.
Terna is usually formal, official, ecclesiastical in register.
Terna: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtəːnə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtɝːnə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To make the terna.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a TERN (the bird) carrying a list with THREE names in its beak: TER-na of THREE.
Conceptual Metaphor
SELECTION IS A LIST.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'terna' specifically?