dicho-

1. a combining form meaning “in two parts,” “in pairs,” used in the formation of compound words:

   dichogamy.

dicho-

combining_form

1. in two parts; in pairs

   dichotomy

Word History and Origins

Origin of dicho-¹

< Greek, combining form of dícha in two, asunder

Word History and Origins

Origin of dicho-¹

from Greek dikho-, from dikha in two

Example Sentences

Can you explain the meaning behind "Donde come uno, comen dos is a dicho?"

From Salon

I love this dicho/saying because in all of my interviews with the Salvadoran women in the book, this saying came up.

From Salon

Abordó proyectos de transporte público y avenidas que, ella ha dicho, ayudaron a reducir en un 30% el número de días que la ciudad registró mala calidad del aire.

From Science Magazine

Con este fin, ha dicho que pretende fortalecer las becas a estudiantes, ampliar las universidades que creó siendo jefa de gobierno y fomentar las colaboraciones con compañías extranjeras.

From Science Magazine

Parientes y asesores afirman que comprende lo que se ha escrito y dicho, y está profundamente agradecido.

From New York Times

Words That Use Dicho-

What does dicho- mean?

Dicho- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “in two parts, in pairs.” It is used in a few, mostly technical terms.

Dicho- comes from the Greek dícha, meaning “in two” or “asunder” (in separate parts). The Greek dícha is based on the Greek dís, “twice, double,” ultimate source of the combining forms di- and diplo-.

The English word two, in fact, is distantly related to the Greek dís. So are the combining forms bi-, bin-, duo-, and twi-. Double down on your word roots by checking out our Words That Use articles for the terms.

What are variants of dicho-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, dicho- becomes dich-, as in dichoptic.

Examples of dicho-

A dichotomy is a “division into two, often contradictory parts.”

The dicho- part of the word means “in two.” So, what about the -tomy portion of the word? That’s right, it means “cutting.” Dichotomy literally translates to “cutting in two.”

The word comes from the Greek dichotomía, which uses an equivalent of the form dicho- in the language.

What are some words that use the combining form dicho-?

• dichogamy (using the equivalent form of dicho- in German)
• dichogamous
• dichotomize (using the equivalent form of dicho- in Latin)
• dichotomous (using the equivalent form of dicho- in Greek)

What are some other forms that dicho- may be commonly confused with?

• deci-
• disco-
• dolicho-
• deutero-
• tricho-

Break it down!

The combining form -gamous means “having gametes or reproductive organs” of a kind specified by the first part of the word.

Based on the meaning of dicho-, do the reproductive organs of a dichogamous plant mature at the same time?