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dichotomously

dichotomously

1 9.4
In a way that divides something into two clear opposite parts
  • adverb
  • /daɪˈkɒtəˌməsli/
: dicotómicamente
  • To simplify the data, we classified the outcomes dichotomously as either passed or failed.

Examples

  • All variables, except for the number of sexual partners, were coded dichotomously as 1 = yes, 0 = no.

    Academic text (2004)
  • We asked respondents about the number and ages of children in their household and coded this information dichotomously for analysis, indicating whether any children younger than 19 years lived with the respondent.

    Academic text (2012)
  • First, we measure marijuana and cocaine use dichotomously instead of continuously.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Regarding mortality, individuals were coded dichotomously according to whether they had died during the study.

    Academic text (2001)
  • The final test includes 45 dichotomously scored situational questions that are combined into a total raw score.

    Academic text (1995)
  • All the dependent variables were categorical, with most, but not all, measured dichotomously.

    Academic text (2006)
  • Environmental variables in the analysis were likewise dichotomously coded using 0s and 1s.

    Academic text (2012)
  • The independent demographic variables used in our subset of data were racial/ethnic identities measured dichotomously.

    Academic text (2006)
  • Responses to both self-medication questions were coded dichotomously as either "yes" or "no," and all responses were collapsed across anxiety disorders.

    Blog text (31)
  • Similar to the drug use variables, gang membership during the last school year was also measured dichotomously (0=no; 1=yes).

    Academic text (2008)

Surface Forms

dichotomously positive
dichotomously comparative
dichotomously superlative

Morphology

dichotomously = dichotomous (transparent) = dichotomy + ous + ly

The adverb is a regular derivation from the adjective 'dichotomous' (formed from 'dichotomy' + '-ous'), so its meaning is directly predictable as 'in a dichotomous manner'.

Etymology

Dichotomously comes from the Greek parts dicho- 'in two' and -tom- 'cut', which makes you think of something being 'cut into two'. So, to look at or sort things dichotomously is to split them into two clear, often opposite, parts.