Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Noun.

[Gr.

τρίχα

threefold, in three parts +

τέμνειν

to cut or divide: cf. F.

trichotomie

Division into three parts.

Noun.

[Gr. three, and to cut or divide.] Division into three parts.

trichotomy ‎(plural trichotomies)

Division or separation into three groups or pieces.
(algebra) the following property of an order relation (e.g., "less than"): for any two elements (of a given algebraic structure) there are exactly three possibilities: either the first element is less than the second one, the second element is less than the first one, or the two elements are equal.

division or separation into three