trichotomy

[ trih-kot-uh-mee ]

noun

, plural tri·chot·o·mies.

1. division into three parts, classes, categories, etc.
2. an instance of such a division, as in thought, structure, or object.
3. the three-part division of human beings into body, spirit, and soul.

trichotomy

/ ˌtrɪkəˈtɒmɪk; traɪˈkɒtəmɪ /

noun

1. division into three categories
2. theol the division of man into body, spirit, and soul

Derived Forms

• trichotomic, adjective
• triˈchotomously, adverb

Other Words From

• trich·o·tom·ic [trik-, uh, -, tom, -ik], tri·choto·mous adjective
• tri·choto·mous·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of trichotomy¹

1600–10; < New Latin trichotomia < Greek trích ( a ) in three parts + New Latin -tomia -tomy

Word History and Origins

Origin of trichotomy¹

C17: probably from New Latin trichotomia , from Greek trikhotomein to divide into three, from trikha triple + temnein to cut