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 [daɪˈkɒtəmɪ]
n pl -mies
1. division into two parts or classifications, esp when they are sharply distinguished or opposed the dichotomy between eastern and western cultures
2. (Philosophy / Logic) Logic the division of a class into two mutually exclusive subclasses the dichotomy of married and single people
3. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Botany) Botany a simple method of branching by repeated division into two equal parts
4. (Astronomy) the phase of the moon, Venus, or Mercury when half of the disc is visible
[from Greek dichotomia; see dicho-, -tomy]
dichotomous , dichotomic [ˌdaɪkəʊˈtɒmɪk] adj
dichotomously adv
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
noun division, gulf, split, separation, polarity, disjunction a dichotomy between the academic world and the industrial world
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 thought by many to be incorrect, and dilemma is a more appropriate alternative.
Translations
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