dichotomy

di·chot·o·my

noun \dī-ˈkä-tə-mē also də-\

plural di·chot·o·mies

Definition of DICHOTOMY

1

: a division into two especially mutually exclusive or contradictory groups or entities <the dichotomy between theory and practice>; also : the process or practice of making such a division <dichotomy of the population into two opposed classes>

2

: the phase of the moon or an inferior planet in which half its disk appears illuminated

3

a : bifurcation; especially : repeated bifurcation (as of a plant's stem) b : a system of branching in which the main axis forks repeatedly into two branches c : branching of an ancestral line into two equal diverging branches

4

: something with seemingly contradictory qualities <it's a dichotomy, this opulent Ritz-style luxury in a place that fronts on a boat harbor — Jean T. Barrett>

Examples of DICHOTOMY

1. Her essay discusses the dichotomy between good and evil in the author's novels.
2. <her outfit is a sartorial dichotomy: an elegant gown and ratty old tennis shoes>

Origin of DICHOTOMY

Greek dichotomia, from dichotomos

First Known Use: 1610

Related to DICHOTOMY

Synonyms: contradiction, incongruity, paradox

Related Words: antinomy; conundrum, enigma, mystery, mystification, puzzle, puzzlement, riddle

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Rhymes with DICHOTOMY

lobotomy

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