pol·y·no·mi·al (pŏl'ē-nō'mē-əl)
adj.
Of, relating to, or consisting of more than two names or terms.

n.

1. A taxonomic designation consisting of more than two terms.
2. Mathematics.
   1. An algebraic expression consisting of one or more summed terms, each term consisting of a constant multiplier and one or more variables raised to integral powers. For example, x² − 5x + 6 and 2p³q + y are polynomials. Also called multinomial.
   2. An expression of two or more terms.

[POLY- + (BI)NOMIAL.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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