1 a a division into two, esp. a sharply defined one. b the result of such a division.
2 binary classification.
3 Bot. & Zool. repeated bifurcation.
Derivatives:
dichotomic adj. dichotomize v. dichotomous adj.
Etymology: mod.L dichotomia f. Gk dikhotomia f. dikho- apart + -TOMY
Useful english dictionary. 2012.