English Explanatory Dictionary

binomial

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Consisting of two terms, or parts.
  2. Of or relating to the binomial distribution.
noun
  1. A polynomial with two terms.
  2. A quantity expressed as the sum or difference of two terms.
  3. A scientific name at the rank of species, with two terms: a generic name and a specific name.

Pronunciation

/baɪˈnəʊ.mi.əl/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-binomial.wav /baɪˈnoʊ.mi.əl/

Word forms

binomial binomials

Etymology

Formed from Late Latin binōmium + -al. The derivation of binōmium is unclear. It was used by Gerard of Cremona in the 12th century. Suggested sources are the Latin nōmen (“name”), the Ancient Greek νομός (nomós, “distribution, pasture”), or the Old French nom (“name”). Gérard de Crémone used the word in his translation of aν Arabic commentary on Euclid, corresponding to the Greek "ἐκ δύο ὀνομάτων". Compare binomy and binominal, as well as the French binôme. By surface analysis, bi- + -nomial.

Synonyms

binome binomen binomial name binominal binominal name species name dionym

Derived words

binomial coefficient binomial distribution binomialism binomialist binomially binomial nomenclature binomial series binomial theorem extrabinomial nonbinomial quasibinomial frozen binomial
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