bipartite

adjective

bi·​par·​tite (ˌ)bī-ˈpär-ˌtīt How to pronounce bipartite (audio)
1
a
: being in two parts
b
: having a correspondent part for each of two parties
c
: shared by two
2
: divided into two parts almost to the base
a bipartite leaf
bipartitely adverb
bipartition noun

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Bipartite and Medicine

Usually a technical word, bipartite is common in medicine and biology. A bipartite patella, for example, is a split kneecap; many people are born with them. Many creatures have a bipartite life cycle, living life in two very distinct forms. As one example, the velella begins life as a creature that travels with thousands of others in the form of a kind of sailboat, blown across the ocean's surface with the wind; only later does each velella turn into a tiny jellyfish.

Examples of bipartite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web What the Jewish People needed, Isaac thought, was bipartite leadership. Rabbi Avi Weiss, sun-sentinel.com, 1 Nov. 2021 In the last week, the team has shut down sluggers Shohei Ohtani (surgery to address bipartite patella in his left knee), Justin Upton (patellar tendinitis in his right knee) and Mike Trout (Morton’s neuroma in his right foot). Maria Torres, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bipartite.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin bipartitus, past participle of bipartire to divide in two, from bi- + partire to divide, from part-, pars part

First Known Use

1574, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of bipartite was in 1574

Dictionary Entries Near bipartite

Cite this Entry

“Bipartite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bipartite. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bipartite

adjective
bi·​par·​tite (ˈ)bī-ˈpär-ˌtīt How to pronounce bipartite (audio)
1
: being in two parts
2
: shared by two
bipartite treaty

Medical Definition

bipartite

adjective
bi·​par·​tite (ˈ)bī-ˈpär-ˌtīt How to pronounce bipartite (audio)
: divided into two parts
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