Bifurcation
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The noun bifurcation (from latin bifurcare, to split (fork) into two), has several related meanings.
- A river bifurcation is the infrequently observed forking of a river into distributaries.
- A bifurcation can be a qualitative change of the attractor of a dynamical system as the result of a moving parameter. These types of mathematical constructs are the subject of bifurcation theory.
- A bifurcation can be the division of issues in a trial.
- In general, it can refer to the splitting of any item with a long, relatively slender or narrow item, most likely with a length to diameter or width ratio much greater than 1 (L/D>>1, L/W>>1), for example, rivers, streams, pipes, into two parts broken off from the whole. Several examples of bifurcation in general use would be the bifurcation of plumbing pipes, bifurcation of inlet ducts on aircraft (see: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter).
- The natural or artificial partial or total splitting of an organ, such as the penis or the tongue, for pleasurable or decorative reasons. See tongue bifurcation.
- Clothing may be bifurcated, as in trousers or pants, or unbifurcated, as in a skirt, kilt, robe, or dress.
- A bifurcation is a logical fallacy of false dilemma.
The term bifurcation refers specifically to the main body of one item splitting into two parts. If the main item were splitting into three or more parts, more specific terminology could be used, such as trifurcation, but those instances are much less likely to occur than bifurcation (for example, a main river splitting into three distributaries).
The term also implies that the item being split is a pathway or avenue for the conveyance of an item or material. For example, a stream, roads, pipes, may all bifurcate, however a stick which has a main body and splits into smaller items (see: Divining rod), would be less likely to be referred to as having a bifurcation.
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