polychotomyn.
/ˌpɒlɪˈkɒtəmi/, U.S. /ˌpɑliˈkɑdəmi/ Science.
Division into more than two parts or groups; esp. (Taxonomy) the division of a taxonomic grouping into more than two subgroups; an instance of this.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > plurality > [noun] > division into several parts
polytomy1819
multisection1862
polychotomy1887
1887 Amer. Naturalist 21 915 Polychotomy is probably never more than provisional, and all classification will eventually be dichotomous.
1953 Amer. Jrnl. Bot. 40 653/1 The question arose as to whether the branching patterns of the gametophytes, namely the apparent dichotomy to polychotomy and the apparently anomalous lateral branch, reflect diverse modes of origin.
2000 C. Tudge Variety of Life i. iii. 58 Polychotomies shown in this book represent areas of work in progress (some progressing more quickly than others).
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1887