a. Zool. and Bot. [f. Gr. τέτραχα in four parts + -τομος cut + -OUS.] Ramifying into four branches or divisions; doubly dichotomous. So Tetrachotomy, division into four branches.
1829. Loudon, Encycl. Pl. (1836), 403, note. Peduncles [of Euphorbia] … often dichotomous, trichotomous, or even tetrachotomous.
1858. C. J. Ellicott, Destiny Creature, Notes, 172. Bull’s theory is, in fact, really a ‘tetrachotomy’—body, soul, spirit, and Holy Spirit.
