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.
Triv"i*al, n. One of the three liberal
arts forming the trivium. [Obs.] Skelton. Wood.