— trivially , adv.
/triv"ee euhl/ , adj.
1. of very little importance or value; insignificant: Don't bother me with trivial matters.
2. commonplace; ordinary.
3. Biol. (of names of organisms) specific, as distinguished from generic.
4. Math.
a. noting a solution of an equation in which the value of every variable of the equation is equal to zero.
b. (of a theorem, proof, or the like) simple, transparent, or immediately evident.
5. Chem. (of names of chemical compounds) derived from the natural source, or of historic origin, and not according to the systematic nomenclature: Picric acid is the trivial name of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol.
[ 1400-50; late ME trivialis belonging to the crossroads or street corner, hence commonplace, equiv. to tri- TRI- + vi ( a ) road + -alis -AL 1 ]
Syn. 1. unimportant, nugatory, slight, immaterial, inconsequential, frivolous, trifling. See petty .
Ant. 1. important.