dichotomicadj.
/ˌdʌɪkəˈtɒmɪk/, U.S. /ˌdaɪkəˈtɑmɪk/ Relating to or involving a division into two sharply defined parts or distinct categories; = dichotomous adj. 3.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > two > division into two > [adjective] > division into two categories
dichotomizing1606
dichotomous1752
dichotomic1825
dichotomistic1847
1825 Encycl. Londinensis XX. 194/2 We say, ‘Everything is either A or not A’; consequently the division is always dichotomic.
1873 Brit. Q. Rev. Jan. 301 The Scriptural representation is as often dichotomic as it is trichotomic..The dichotomic must be radically and essentially wrong.
1881 D. F. Lincoln tr. A. Trousseau & H. Pidoux Treat. Therapeutics I. 278 The followers of Brown and Broussais, after a long struggle with the arguments which were ruining their dichotomic doctrine, were at last forced to recognise special diseases.
1959 R. Altevogt tr. B. Rensch Evol. above Species Level iv. 58 Rosa advanced a theory of ‘hologenesis’ according to which dichotomic branchings necessarily proceed in predetermined directions.
2005 Pacific Affairs 78 160 This could be critiqued as a misleading construction of a dichotomic global versus local media environment in India.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2014; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1825- in retard
- in retard of
- in retinue
- in retirement
- in retort
- in retreat
- in retrograde
- in retrospect
- in return
- in return for
- in return of,
- in return to
- in revanche
- in revenge for
- in revenge of
- in reverence
- in reverence of
- in reverse
- in reversion
- in review
- in revolt
- in revolution
- in rew
- in reward of
- in rhyme