trinomial

[ trahy-noh-mee-uhl ]

adjective

1. Algebra. consisting of or pertaining to three terms.
2. Biology.
   1. pertaining to a scientific name comprising three terms, as of genus, species, and subspecies or variety.
   2. characterized by the use of such names.

noun

1. Algebra. an expression that is a sum or difference of three terms, as 3 x + 2 y + z or 3 x 3 + 2 x 2 + x.
2. Biology. a trinomial name, as Rosa gallica pumila.

trinomial

/ traɪˈnəʊmɪəl /

adjective

1. maths consisting of or relating to three terms
2. biology denoting or relating to the three-part name of an organism that incorporates its genus, species, and subspecies

noun

1. maths a polynomial consisting of three terms, such as ax ² + bx + c
2. biology the third word in the trinomial name of an organism, which distinguishes between subspecies

trinomial

/ trī-nō′mē-əl /

1. A mathematical expression that is the sum of three monomials, such as ax ² + bx − c.
2. A taxonomic designation indicating genus, species, and subspecies or variety, as in Brassica oleracea botrytis, the cauliflower.

Derived Forms

• triˈnomially, adverb

Other Words From

• tri·nomi·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of trinomial¹

First recorded in 1665–75; tri- + (bi)nomial

Word History and Origins

Origin of trinomial¹

C18: tri- + -nomial on the model of binomial

Example Sentences

The trinomial is used whenever subspecific identities could be made with a reasonable degree of certainty.

From Project Gutenberg

Duellman used the trinomial for this population and named a new subspecies, pallidus, from Nayarit.

From Project Gutenberg

I have sometimes loosely speculated on what nomenclature would come to, and concluded that it would be trinomial.

From Project Gutenberg

A trinomial in algebra is a quantity consisting of three terms.

From Project Gutenberg