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

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.

From Seattle Times

Species comes next in the trinomial.

From Seattle Times

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.

From 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.

From The Guardian

Trinomial that is a perfect square.

From Project Gutenberg