di·chot·o·my (d -k t  -m )n. pl. di·chot·o·mies 1. Division into two usually contradictory parts or opinions: "the dichotomy of the one and the many" (Louis Auchincloss). 2. Astronomy The phase of the moon, Mercury, or Venus when half of the disk is illuminated. 3. Botany Branching characterized by successive forking into two approximately equal divisions. [Greek dikhotomi  , from dikhotomos, divided in two : dikho-, dicho- + temnein, to cut; see tem- in Indo-European roots.] |
dichotomy [die-kot-a-mee]
Noun
pl -mies division into two opposed groups or parts [Greek dicha in two + temnein to cut]
dichotomous adj
USAGE: Dichotomy should always refer to a division of some kind into two groups. It is sometimes used to refer to a puzzling situation which seems to involve a contradiction, but this use is generally thought to be incorrect.
dichotomy
division of material into two parts for the purpose of classification. — dichotomist, n.
See also: Classification
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | dichotomy - being twofold; a classification into two opposed parts or subclasses; "the dichotomy between eastern and western culture" categorisation, categorization, classification - a group of people or things arranged by class or category |
dichotomy
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