Triv"i*al (?), a. [L. trivialis, properly, that is in, or belongs to, the crossroads or public streets; hence, that may be found everywhere, common, fr. trivium a place where three roads meet, a crossroad, the public street; tri- (see Tri-) + via a way: cf. F. trivial. See Voyage.]
1.
Found anywhere; common.
[Obs.]
2.
Ordinary; commonplace; trifling; vulgar.
As a scholar, meantime, he was trivial, and incapable of labor.
De Quincey.
3.
Of little worth or importance; inconsiderable; trifling; petty; paltry; as, a trivial subject or affair.
The trivial round, the common task.
Keble.
4.
Of or pertaining to the trivium.
Trivial name Nat. Hist., the specific name. (b) Chem. The common name, not describing the structure and from which the structure cannot be deduced; -- contrasted with systematic name.
© Webster 1913.
Triv"i*al, n.
One of the three liberal arts forming the trivium.
[Obs.]
Skelton. Wood.
© Webster 1913.