trichotomous

adjective

tri·​chot·​o·​mous trī-ˈkä-tə-məs How to pronounce trichotomous (audio)
: divided or dividing into three parts or into threes
trichotomous branching
trichotomously adverb

Word History

Etymology

Late Greek trichotomein to trisect, from Greek tricha in three (akin to treis three) + -tomein (akin to temnein to cut) — more at three, tome

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of trichotomous was in 1800

Dictionary Entries Near trichotomous

trichotomize

trichotomous

trichotomy

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Cite this Entry

“Trichotomous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trichotomous. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

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