bifurcated

[ bahy-fer-key-tid, bahy-fur- ]

adjective

1. divided or forked into two separate aspects or branches:

   In Star Trek, Spock and Kirk together represent a bifurcated hero, with each character representing one aspect of the human condition.

   The bifurcated fiber optic cable transmits light with half its fibers, while the other half act to detect reflected light.

2. Law. (of a trial) occurring in two separate parts, often with determination of guilt in the first part and sentencing or awarding of damages in the second:

   The same jury will usually hear both phases of a bifurcated trial.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of bifurcate.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bifurcated¹

First recorded in 1710–20; bifurcate ( def ) + -ed ²( def ) for the adjective senses; bifurcate ( def ) + -ed ¹( def ) for the verb sense

Example Sentences

I had imagined a bifurcated experience based on the “Courage Tour” program: political lectures during the day, worship at night.

From Slate

Propelled by a tumultuous and historic economic transformation, Britain suddenly faced no serious European rival and found itself free to create and oversee a bifurcated world order in which sovereignty remained a right and reality only in Europe and parts of the Americas, while much of the rest of the planet was subject to imperial dominion.

From Salon

Open’s crowd was clearly bifurcated into tennis devotees and society seekers, relatively everyone was on the same page when it came to engagement.

From Salon

One result of the Fed’s higher rates has been a kind of bifurcated economy, by age.

From Seattle Times

“A healthcare delivery system that sort of bifurcated state by state has an impact on everyone,” Hicks said.

From Los Angeles Times