🔱 Three-part divider ➗ Three-way comparer

trichotomist

9.9

A person who believes any two numbers are either less than, equal to, or greater than each other

noun
/traɪˈkɒtəˌmɪst/

Specialized

: tricotomista

As a dedicated trichotomist, she insisted that every pair of numbers must be compared using only three possible relations.

Examples

In his lecture, the trichotomist explained why the law of trichotomy is essential in real analysis.
The debate between the trichotomist and his colleague centered on the foundations of mathematical order.
A trichotomist believes in the three distinct relationships of elements.
Many mathematicians identify as trichotomists in their work.
As a dedicated trichotomist, she insisted that every pair of numbers must be compared using only three possible relations.
In his lecture, the trichotomist explained why the law of trichotomy is essential in real analysis.
The debate between the trichotomist and his colleague centered on the foundations of mathematical order.

Surface Forms

trichotomist singular

trichotomists plural

Morphology

trichotomist = trichotomy (transparent) = trichotomy + ist

Agentive suffix '-ist' attaches to 'trichotomy' to yield 'person who defends or accepts the law of trichotomy', a direct and regular formation.

Etymology

Trichotomist comes from tri- ('three') and -tomy ('cut' or 'division'), like the 'tri-' in triple. In mathematics a trichotomist defends a 'three-way' rule that any two elements must be 'less', 'equal', or 'greater', so the name fits someone who supports a strict three-part order.