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dichotomy

Noun

IPA /daɪˈkɒtəmi/

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Meaning in plain English

A division into two sharply different groups or ideas that are presented as opposites.

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Pronunciation

dichotomy/daɪˈkɒtəmi/

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The supposed dichotomy between city life and country life seemed too simple.
Her essay questioned the dichotomy between practical and academic learning.

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The supposed ________ between city life and country life seemed too simple.

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dichotomy — A division into two sharply different groups or ideas that are presented as opposites.

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A division into two sharply different groups or ideas that are presented as opposites.

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Word origin

From Greek dikhotomia, combining elements meaning in two and cutting, through modern Latin.

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The usual pattern is a dichotomy between one thing and another.

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