Dichotomous

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /daɪˈkÉ’t.É™.mÉ™s/
• US IPA: /daɪˈkɑːt.É™.mÉ™s/

Origin

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

Full definition of dichotomous

Adjective

1. Dividing or branching into two pieces.
• 1992 — Marie L. Hicks, Guide to the Liverworts of North Carolina, p197Genus Riccia L. Plants are thalloid, forming rosettes or loose, dichotomous patches.

Synonyms

• (dividing into two equal parts) bipartite, forked

Related terms

• dichotomously
• dichotomy