dichotomy

 
Pronunciation: /dʌɪˈkɒtəmi, dɪ-/

noun (plural dichotomies)

[usually in singular]
  • 1a division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different: a rigid dichotomy between science and mysticism
  • 2 [mass noun] Botany repeated branching into two equal parts.

Origin:

late 16th century: via modern Latin from Greek dikhotomia, from dikho- 'in two, apart' + -tomia (see -tomy)