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,
   log2(3)
   bits).