dyad

[ dahy-ad ]

noun

1. a group of two; couple; pair.
2. Biology.
   1. a secondary morphological unit, consisting of two monads:

      a chromosome dyad.

   2. the double chromosomes resulting from the separation of the four chromatids of a tetrad.
3. Chemistry. an element, atom, or group having a valence of two. Compare monad, triad ( def 2a ).
4. Mathematics. two vectors with no symbol connecting them, usually considered as an operator.
5. Sociology.
   1. two persons involved in an ongoing relationship or interaction.
   2. the relationship or interaction itself.

adjective

1. of two parts; dyadic.

dyad

/ ˈdaɪæd /

noun

1. maths an operator that is the unspecified product of two vectors. It can operate on a vector to produce either a scalar or vector product
2. an atom or group that has a valency of two
3. a group of two; couple

Word History and Origins

Origin of dyad¹

First recorded in 1665–75; from Greek dyad- (stem of dyás ) “pair,” equivalent to dý(o) “two” + -ad- noun suffix; two, -ad ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of dyad¹

C17: from Late Latin dyas, from Greek duas two, a pair

Example Sentences

Still, Jamison found the “triangle” of herself, Godfrey and Guggenheim easier than if she had been working alone within a “dyad” of Godfrey’s “fictive construction.”

From Los Angeles Times

The researchers focused on mother-child dyads because mothers often are the primary caregiver who spends more time with youth and tend to be more involved with day-to-day activities.

From Science Daily

The researchers chose to focus on mother-child dyads because mothers often are the primary caregiver who spends more time with youth and are more involved with day-to-day activities.

From Science Daily

Their qualitative work on the severed mother-daughter dyad has yielded wholly nuanced theories and praxis rooted in the unique “self-in-relation” analysis model.

From Salon

In every instance, it’s the devouring twin who has returned, not the bright Indo-Greek dyad.

From New York Times

Related Words

• combination
• couple
• duo
• match
• team
• two