Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having or characterized by two names: Specifically used in biological taxonomy to describe a naming system where an organism is identified by two names, typically the genus name and the species name.

Usage

• The term binominal is primarily used in scientific contexts, especially in biology and taxonomy. It describes the two-part naming convention.
• It is often used interchangeably with binomial in this specific context, though "binominal" is less common in general English.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The binominal system of nomenclature, introduced by Linnaeus, is fundamental to biology.
  • A binominal name, like "Felis catus" for the domestic cat, consists of a genus and a species epithet.

Advanced Usage

• Binominal nomenclature: This is the standard formal phrase for the system of naming species with two terms.
  • Students of biology must learn the rules of binominal nomenclature.

Variants and Related Words

• Binomial (Adjective/Noun): The more common term in both general and scientific English for the two-part naming system and for algebraic expressions with two terms. In taxonomy, it is synonymous with "binominal."
  • The binomial theorem is a key concept in algebra.
  • Binomial nomenclature is the correct term for the two-name system.

Synonyms

• Two-name
• Dual-name
• Binomial (in the context of taxonomy)

Notes on Meaning

• While binominal specifically refers to having two names, its usage is almost entirely restricted to scientific classification. The more versatile and common term binomial can refer to this naming system in biology as well as to mathematical expressions consisting of two terms.

Adjective

1. having or characterized by two names, especially those of genus and species in taxonomies
   • binomial nomenclature of bacteria