DICHOTOMY
dichotomy, duality
(noun) being twofold; a classification into two opposed parts or subclasses; “the dichotomy between eastern and western culture”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
dichotomy (countable and uncountable, plural dichotomies)
A separation or division into two; a distinction that results in such a division.
Such a division involving apparently incompatible or opposite principles; a duality.
(logic) The division of a class into two disjoint subclasses that are together comprehensive, as the division of man into white and not white.
(biology, taxonomy) The division of a genus into two species; a division into two subordinate parts.
(astronomy) A phase of the moon when it appears half lit and half dark, as at the quadratures.
(biology) Division and subdivision; bifurcation, as of a stem of a plant or a vein of the body into two parts as it proceeds from its origin; often successive.
Synonyms
• (separation or division into two): See bisection
• (division into parts): partition, trichotomy
Anagrams
• cymothoid
Source: Wiktionary
Di*chot"o*my, n. Etym: [Gr. dichotomie. See Dichotomous.]
1. A cutting in two; a division. A general breach or dichotomy with their church. Sir T. Browne.
2. Division or distribution of genera into two species; division into two subordinate parts.
3. (Astron.)
Definition: That phase of the moon in which it appears bisected, or shows only half its disk, as at the quadratures.
4. (Biol.)
Definition: Successive division and subdivision, as of a stem of a plant or a vein of the body, into two parts as it proceeds from its origin; successive bifurcation.
5. The place where a stem or vein is forked.
6. (Logic)
Definition: Division into two; especially, the division of a class into two subclasses opposed to each other by contradiction, as the division of the term man into white and not white.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
7 April 2025
SUPERFETATION
(noun) fertilization of a second ovum after a pregnancy has begun; results in two fetuses of different ages in the uterus at the same time; “superfetation is normal in some animal species”
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