dichotomy

American  

[dahy-kot-uh-mee] / daɪˈkɒt ə mi /

noun

dichotomies plural

1. division into two parts, kinds, etc.; subdivision into halves or pairs.

2. division into two mutually exclusive, opposed, or contradictory groups.

   a dichotomy between thought and action.

3. Botany. a mode of branching by constant forking, as in some stems, in veins of leaves, etc.

4. Astronomy. the phase of the moon or of an inferior planet when half of its disk is visible.

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dichotomy British  

/ ˌdaɪkəʊˈtɒmɪk, daɪˈkɒtəmɪ /

noun

1. division into two parts or classifications, esp when they are sharply distinguished or opposed

   the dichotomy between eastern and western cultures

2. logic the division of a class into two mutually exclusive subclasses

   the dichotomy of married and single people

3. botany a simple method of branching by repeated division into two equal parts

4. the phase of the moon, Venus, or Mercury when half of the disc is visible

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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

Other Word Forms

• dichotomic
  adjective
• dichotomically
  adverb
• dichotomous
  adjective
• dichotomously
  adverb
• subdichotomy
  noun

Etymology

Origin of dichotomy

First recorded in 1580–90; from Late Latin dichotomia, from Greek dichotomía “dividing in two (of the quarters of the moon), point of a bisection, division into two parts”; see origin at dicho-, -tomy

Explanation

A dichotomy is an idea or classification split in two. When you point out a dichotomy, you draw a clear distinction between two things. A dichotomy is a contrast between two things. When there are two ideas, especially two opposed ideas — like war and peace, or love and hate — you have a dichotomy. You often hear about a "false dichotomy," which occurs when a situation is unfairly represented as an "either/or" scenario. For example, the statement "All cars are either small and efficient or large and polluting" creates a false dichotomy because there are some cars that don't fit into either category.

Example Sentences

Dichotomy is possible and vital in a complex characterization.

From Salon • Dec. 4, 2021

Dichotomy also appears, mercury and sulphur, which can then generally be rendered soul and body.

From Hidden Symbolism of Alchemy and the Occult Arts by Jelliffe, Smith Ely

Bergson in Matter and Memory examines Zeno's four puzzles: "The Dichotomy," "Achilles and the Tortoise," "The Arrow" and "The Stadium."

From Bergson and His Philosophy by Gunn, John Alexander

To most persons it has up to now seemed impossible that there could be a third school; we appeared to be confronted with what the logicians call a Dichotomy.

From Science and Morals and Other Essays by Windle, Bertram Coghill Alan, Sir

This Dichotomy, so far as I can see, applies only to man.

From Appearances Being Notes of Travel by Dickinson, G. Lowes (Goldsworthy Lowes)

Related Words

• difference of opinion