dichotomy

CEFRC1

/daɪˈkɒtəmi/

noun

Türkçe translations

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In plain English

01
noun
A division between two completely different or opposite things.
02
noun
Extra detail
Such a division involving apparently incompatible or opposite principles; a duality.

Examples

The work-play dichotomy has something to do with the left-right brain dichotomy.
That is a false dichotomy.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses: 5
Parts of speech: 1
Citations: 5
Synonyms: 3

Also pronounced

[daɪˈkɒɾ.ə.mi]
[dɑe̯ˈkɔɾ.ə.mi]

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

The division of a class into two disjoint subclasses that are together comprehensive, as the division of human into female and male.
A separation or division into two; a distinction that results in such a division.
The division of a genus into two species; a division into two subordinate parts.

More examples

In context

1969, J. F. Rigby, Permian Sphenopsids from Antarctica, Geological Survey Professional Paper 613-F, page F-9, In one forked leaf there is a distinct vein dichotomy, and the leaf boundary commences 1.5 mm above the dichotomy.
2011, Tomasz A. Gorarzd, Jacek Krzaczkowski, The Complexity of Problems Connected with Two-Element Algebras, Paweł M. Idziak, Andrzej Wronski, Reports on Mathematical Logic: No. 46, page 92, One can ask if for any algebra the considered problem is always in P...
The dichotomy between maria and highlands dominates lunar mineralogy.

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There is a clear blank between the rich and the poor in that city.

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Citations

The word in print, with each source given in full.

The dichotomy between maria and highlands dominates lunar mineralogy.
2003, Thérèse Encrenaz et al., “The Solar System”, in Storm Dunlop, transl., Système Solaire, page 232
The dichotomy between the private and the public is central to almost two centuries of feminist writing and political struggle; it is, ultimately, what the feminist movement is all about. Although some feminists treat the dichotomy as a universal, trans-historical and trans-cultural feature of human existence, feminist criticism is primarily directed at the separation and opposition between the public and private spheres in liberal theory and practice.
1989, Carole Pateman, 6: Feminist Critiques of the Public/Private Dichotomy: The Disorder of Women: Democracy, Feminism, and Political Theory, page 118
Despite some contradictions found in the essay, its major emphasis is laid on the politics-administration dichotomy theory. It is largely devoted to the argument concerning the separability of politics and administration. The politics-administration dichotomy initiated by Wilson was later elaborated by Frank J. Goodnow in his work, “Politics and Administration” (1900).
2005, S. P. Naidu, Public Administration: Concepts And Theories, page 55
All of this previous analysis was based on two related ideas: the classical dichotomy and monetary neutrality. Recall that the classical dichotomy is the separation of variables into real variables (those that measure quantities or relative prices) and nominal variables (those measured in terms of money).
2008, N. Gregory Mankiw, Principles of Economics, 6th edition, page 723
But we do not try to characterize the top and bottom parts of the brain in terms of a simple dichotomy or set of dichotomies, which was exactly what was done with the existing and well-known division of the brain into two halves: namely the left versus the right, the dominant pop-culture brain story of the last few decades. […] The differences between the left and right sides of the brain are nuanced, and simple, sweeping dichotomies do not in fact explain how the two sides function.
2013 November 11, Stephen M. Kosslyn, G. Wayne Miller, “How the Brain Creates Personality: A New Theory”, in The Atlantic

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Origin

noun

From Ancient Greek διχοτομία (dikhotomía, “dichotomy”).

Deep Dive

noun

More examples

Related

Quick test

There is a clear blank— between the rich and the poor in that city.

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Origin

noun

There is a clear blank between the rich and the poor in that city.