dichotomy [dahy-kot -uh -mee]
Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for dichotomy on Thesaurus.com noun, plural di·chot·o·mies. division into two parts, kinds, etc.; subdivision into halves or pairs. division into two mutually exclusive, opposed, or contradictory groups: a dichotomy between thought and action. Botany a mode of branching by constant forking, as in some stems, in veins of leaves, etc. Astronomy the phase of the moon or of an inferior planet when half of its disk is visible. Show More
Origin of dichotomy From the
Greek word
dichotomía, dating back to
1600–10. See
dicho- ,
-tomy Related forms di·cho·tom·ic [dahy-kuh -tom -ik] /ˌdaɪ kəˈtɒm ɪk/ adjective di·cho·tom·i·cal·ly , adverb sub·di·chot·o·my , noun, plural sub·di·chot·o·mies. Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for dichotomy Contemporary Examples of dichotomy No, the whole point of a superhero with a secret identity is the dichotomy .
It was this dichotomy that made Don a fascinating, layered character.
As a result, the legislation “defies the dichotomy of pro-life and pro-choice,” says Diaz-Tello.
Ultimately, I think this dichotomy will come to define what True Detective is all about.
Colorado lawmakers, and ultimately officials in the Obama administration, are going to have to address that dichotomy .
Historical Examples of dichotomy The nature of the universe is proved too subtle for this dichotomy .
Most of the examples of division which Plato gives are divisions by dichotomy .
Dichotomy (dī-koto-mi), a cutting in two; a division by pairs.
Another point of difference from Catenicella is the non-gemination of the cell at the dichotomy of a branch.
He mapped out the whole subject, dividing and subdividing it in accordance with the principle of “dichotomy .”
British Dictionary definitions for dichotomy division into two parts or classifications, esp when they are sharply distinguished or opposed the dichotomy between eastern and western cultures logic the division of a class into two mutually exclusive subclasses the dichotomy of married and single people botany a simple method of branching by repeated division into two equal parts the phase of the moon, Venus, or Mercury when half of the disc is visible Show More
Derived Forms dichotomous or dichotomic (ˌdaɪkəʊˈtɒmɪk ), adjective dichotomously , adverb Word Origin for dichotomy C17: from Greek dichotomia; see dicho- , -tomy
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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for dichotomy n. c.1600, from Greek dichotomia "a cutting in half," from dicha "in two, asunder" (related to dis "twice") + temnein "to cut" (see tome ).
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
