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

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.

Other Word Forms

• trinomially 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

Genus is the first word of the trinomial name and a subdivision of a larger plant family; some have only a single kind of plant, such as Ginkgo, while others, like Rosa, contain hundreds.

Read more on Seattle Times

Species comes next in the trinomial.

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Of those, 899 were identified by a unique combination of numbers and letters known as a “Smithsonian trinomial,” which catalogs each relic or building by the state and county where it is located.

Read more on Salon

Gut check for Mitch: A poll released Monday evening by the estimable SurveyUSA shows would-be Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell with an eeny-weeny one-point lead in his race against Democratic trinomial Alison Lundergan Grimes.

Read more on The Guardian

A trinomial that is a perfect square.

Read more on Project Gutenberg