dichotomous

WOTD – 30 January 2008    

English

Etymology

From the Late Latin dichotomos, from Ancient Greek διχότομος (dikhotomos, “cut in half”), from δίχα (dikha, “apart”) + τέμνω (temnō, “I cut”).

Pronunciation

• (RP) IPA: /daɪˈkɒt.ə.məs/, X-SAMPA: /daI"kQt.@.m@s/
• (US) IPA: /daɪˈkɑːt.ə.məs/, X-SAMPA: /daI"kA:t.@.m@s/

• Audio (US)

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Adjective

dichotomous (not comparable)

1. Dividing or branching into two pieces.
   • 1992 — Marie L. Hicks, Guide to the Liverworts of North Carolina, p197

     Genus Riccia L. Plants are thalloid, forming rosettes or loose, dichotomous patches.

Synonyms

• (dividing into two equal parts): bipartite, forked

Related terms

• dichotomously
• dichotomy

Translations

dividing or branching into two pieces

• German: dichotom (de)
• Latin: dichotomos (la)

• Polish: dwudzielny m, dychotomiczny m