trichotomy

noun /tɹaɪˈkɒt.ə.mi/

1. Division or separation into three groups or pieces.

   countable, uncountable

2. the property of an order relation whereby, given an ordered pair of elements (of a given algebraic structure), exactly one of these is true: the first element is 'less than' the second one, the second is 'less than' the first, or the two elements are equal.

   countable, uncountable

   [A linear order] obeys the following trichotomy law[.]

Where it comes from

From Ancient Greek τριχοτομία (trikhotomía), from τρίχα (tríkha) + τόμος (tómos) + -ία (-ía).

Adapted from the Wiktionary entry trichotomy (CC BY-SA 4.0).

← trichogynetriclinium →

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