trivial name

American  

[triv-ee-uhl naym] / ˈtrɪv i əl ˌneɪm /

noun

trivial names plural

1. the common name used in everyday language to refer to an organism or to a chemical element or compound, such as dog for Canis familiaris or vinegar for acetic acid.

2. Biology. specific epithet.

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trivial name Scientific  

/ trĭv′ē-əl /

1. A common or vernacular name as distinguished from a scientific name, as chimpanzee for Pan troglodytes.

2. A common, historic, or convenient name for a substance. The trivial name is often derived from the source in which the substance was discovered. It is not systematic and is not used in modern official nomenclature. Sucrose is the trivial name for β - D -fructofuranosyl- α - D -glucopyranoside.

3. Compare chemical name

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Example Sentences

Speaking on his first visit to Wales since his appointment, he said he had been in the post ten days and would not submit to "trivial" name tests.

From BBC • Oct. 2, 2015

This is the earliest trivial name now associated with Osteocephalus.

From A Synopsis of Neotropical Hylid Frogs, Genus Osteocephalus by Duellman, William E.

Etymology.—The trivial name is the diminutive of Cystignathus, a once-used generic name for several leptodactylid frogs.

From A Taxonomic Revision of the Leptodactylid Frog Genus Syrrhophus Cope by Lynch, John D.

It is this peculiarity of nest construction — in shape like a Dutch oven — that has given the bird what DeKay considers its "trivial name."

From Bird Neighbors by Blanchan, Neltje

A leaf, having its foot-stalk inserted into the disk or middle part of it, or near it, is called by Linnæus, peltatum, hence the Latin trivial name of this plant.

From The Botanical Magazine, Vol. 1 Or, Flower-Garden Displayed by Curtis, William