dichotomy

Dichotomy is defined as a sharp division of things or ideas into two contradictory parts.

(noun)

An example of dichotomy is grouping mammals by those that live on land and those that live in water.

See dichotomy in Webster's New World College Dictionary

division into two parts, groups, or classes, esp. when these are sharply distinguished or opposed
Astron. the appearance of the moon or of a planet when half of the surface facing the earth is illuminated
Biol. a dividing or branching into two equal parts, esp. when repeated

Origin: Gr dichotomia: see dicho- & -tomy

Related Forms:

See dichotomy in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. di·chot·o·mies

Division into two usually contradictory parts or opinions: “the dichotomy of the one and the many” (Louis Auchincloss).
Astronomy The phase of the moon, Mercury, or Venus when half of the disk is illuminated.
Botany Branching characterized by successive forking into two approximately equal divisions.

Origin:

Origin: Greek dikhotomiā

Origin: , from dikhotomos, divided in two

Origin: : dikho-, dicho-

Origin: + temnein, to cut; see tem- in Indo-European roots

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