Dichotomy Meaning
/daɪˈkɒtəmi/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA separation or division into two; a distinction that results in such a division.
nounSuch a division involving apparently incompatible or opposite principles; a duality.
Sentence Examples
That is a false dichotomy.
The work-play dichotomy has something to do with the left-right brain dichotomy.
CEFR Practice Quiz
There is a clear ____ between the rich and the poor in that city.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
That is a false ____.
Word Origin & History
From Ancient Greek διχοτομία (dikhotomía, “dichotomy”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"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:
"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:
"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:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
There is a clear ____ between the rich and the poor in that city.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
That is a false ____.