It Takes Two: Di

Learn these prefixes that can make you think twice about the words they form: bi, di, diplo
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  1. dichotomy
    a classification into two opposed parts or subclasses
    It’s an odd dichotomy: the notion that technology is a blessing and curse, a driver of improvement, and a source of frustration.  Forbes (Jan 15, 2015)
    di (two, twice, double) + temnein (to cut) + y (suffix forming abstract or collective nouns)
    The placement of commas and the use of "and" twice make the example sentence look like it's suggesting that technology has a fourfold nature. But a dichotomy is a division into two parts that are usually the opposites of each other. Thus, all the descriptions make this simple point: technology can be both good and bad.
  2. dilemma
    state of uncertainty in a choice between unfavorable options
    The central dilemma of a modern leader is to balance apparently conflicting virtues and beliefs without choosing sides between them. New York Times (Oct 16, 2015)
    di (two, twice, double) + lemma (premise, anything received or taken)
    This used to be a term in rhetoric (the art of using language effectively to please or persuade) and should not be confused with a syllogism. A syllogism starts with two premises (statements believed to be true) in order to arrive at one logical conclusion. A dilemma presents two unpleasant propositions (suggestions offered for acceptance or rejection), from which a choice must be made.
  3. dimorphic
    occurring or existing in two different forms
    This is no great surprise, since it is usually the male of any dimorphic species who is encumbered with any expensive ornamentation. Economist (Jan 20, 2011)
    di (two, twice, double) + morphe (form, shape) + ic (suffix forming adjectives)
    Any species that needs a male and a female to reproduce is dimorphic. In many bird species, males often have more colors or feathers to attract females, but this extra ornamentation also makes them easier targets for predators.
  4. dichromatic
    of or relating to dichromatism
    Dogs have such a "dichromatic" view of the world as shown in this image of an owner's legs. BBC (Jul 2, 2012)
    di (two, twice, double) + khroma (color, complexion, character) + ic (suffix forming adjectives)
    Something that is dichromatic has two colors, while an organism with dichromatism can see thousands of colors by matching the cones in their eyes with no more than two wavelengths of light. While many birds are tetrachromats and humans are trichromats, dichromats often have difficulty with the longest wavelength, so they can't see red or it's confused with other colors.
  5. dioxide
    an oxide containing two atoms of oxygen in the molecule
    Forests worldwide play a key role in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere; chopping them down worsens global warming. Reuters (Sep 27, 2015)
    di (two, twice, double) + oxys (sharp, acid) + genos (birth) + acidus (sour, sharp)
    The roots of "oxide" reveal the belief that oxygen is necessary in the formation of all acids. While modern chemists have disproved this, it is true for carbonic acid, which is produced when carbon dioxide dissolves in water. Carbonic acid can be used to make bubbly beverages (such as sodas), but its increased presence in water systems can also lead to health concerns for all dependent organisms.
  6. diphthong
    a sound that glides between two vowels in a single syllable
    Monosyllables ending in 'r' or 're,' preceded by a long vowel or diphthong, are often pronounced as dissyllabic. Black, Ebenezer Charlton
    di (two, twice, double) + phthongos (sound, voice)
    Here are two examples of words that look monosyllabic but are dissyllabic in pronunciation because of a diphthong: our, fire. Here are three examples of the most common English diphthongs: ai, aw, oy. Although these diphthongs are represented as specific digraphs here, different words might spell the same vowel sounds with other letters or letter combinations.
  7. digraph
    two successive letters
    We have, therefore, twenty-six letters with which to express fifty or more sounds, not counting the digraphs and diphthongs. Hamilton, Frederick W. (Frederick William)
    di (two, twice, double) + graphe (writing)
    While a diphthong can be a digraph, a digraph is not limited to vowel sounds. It can be two letters making one sound or two letters making a sequence of common sounds that are not normally associated with the individual letters. Here are some examples of English digraphs: ch, ph, sh, wh, sc, wr, qu.
  8. duologue
    a conversation between two persons
    A duologue, he suggested, is more than a monologue but less than a dialogue. Economist (Aug 14, 2014)
    di (two, twice, double) + legein (to speak)
    The example sentence emphasizes that a duologue is limited to two speakers, while a dialogue can include more. But most people in duologues would see themselves as engaging in dialogue. The prefix "dia" may come from the Latin "duo" which comes from the Greek "di," but it has expanded to mean "across, through, throughout."
  9. duality
    a classification into two opposed parts or subclasses
    "We think that's a powerful message when it's sitting opposite the Ten Commandments - you can have these dualities, differences without conflict." BBC (Jul 31, 2015)
    duo (two) + al (suffix forming adjectives) + ity (suffix forming abstract nouns)
    In literature, conflicts are often simplified into dualities, such as good vs. evil, male vs. female, rich vs. poor. But as the example sentence suggests, there can be dualities without conflicts; and as life reminds us, conflicts can involve more than two parts and parties.
  10. duet
    two performers or singers who perform together
    Brown had hits as a solo singer and part of a duet and trio. Washington Times (Jun 11, 2015)
    duo (two) + et (suffix forming diminutives)
    A duet used to be shorter than a duo, but now the words are synonymous. In addition to solos (1), duets/duos (2), and trios (3), performers can be parts of quartets (4), quintets (5), sextets (6), septets (7), octets (8), nonets (9), etc. The "et" suffix seems to have shifted into an indication that these musical groups are small, in comparison to, for examples, the choruses of Greek plays (12-24) or a full-size orchestra (70-100).
Created on Fri Oct 23 11:15:18 EDT 2015 (updated Mon Nov 02 14:26:51 EST 2015)

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