dichotomous

[ dih-kot-uh-muh s ]

/ dɪˈkɒt ə məs /

|

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR dichotomous ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

divided or dividing into two parts.

of or relating to dichotomy.

RELATED WORDS

binary, amphibian, diploid, bifurcate, divided, zigzag, split, branching, tined, angled, bifurcated, branched, furcate, divaricate, bilateral, dual, amphibious, bicameral, bigeminal, binal

Nearby words

dichondra, dichoptic, dichorial, dichotic, dichotomize, dichotomous, dichotomous key, dichotomous question, dichotomy, dichroic, dichroic filter

Origin of dichotomous

1680–90; < Late Latin dichotomos < Greek dichótomos. See dicho-, -tome, -ous

Related forms

di·chot·o·mous·ly, adverbdi·chot·o·mous·ness, nounnon·di·chot·o·mous, adjectivenon·di·chot·o·mous·ly, adverb

un·di·chot·o·mous, adjectiveun·di·chot·o·mous·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for dichotomous

To appreciate the Palmer paradox, it's important to understand that Palmer's childhood and young adulthood were dichotomous.
Will the Real Jim Palmer Please Stand Up|Tom Boswell|September 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Or rather, it hints at how elusive a clear view of the dichotomous Palmer can be.
Will the Real Jim Palmer Please Stand Up|Tom Boswell|September 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The simple proximal part of each arm is three times as long and twice as broad as each branch of the dichotomous distal part.
Report on the Radiolaria Collected by H.M.S. Challenger During the Years 1873-1876, First Part: Porulosa (Spumellaria and Acantharia)|Ernst Haeckel
The area covered by the dichotomous organisations is divided almost equally between matrilineal and patrilineal tribes.
Kinship Organisations and Group Marriage in Australia|Northcote W. Thomas

The simple proximal half of each arm about the same size as each branch of the dichotomous distal part, twice as long as broad.
Report on the Radiolaria Collected by H.M.S. Challenger During the Years 1873-1876, First Part: Porulosa (Spumellaria and Acantharia)|Ernst Haeckel
Thallus radiate or dichotomous, the epidermis usually porose.
The Manual of the Botany of the Northern United States|Asa Gray
In these there is a thallus which starts from a central point and continually divides in a forked or dichotomous manner.
Scientific American Supplement, Vol. XXI., No. 531, March 6, 1886|Various