divide

To divide is defined as to separate into two or more parts.

(verb)

An example of to divide is cutting a sandwich in half.

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See divide in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb divided, dividing

  1. to separate into parts; split up; sever
  2. to separate into groups; classify
  3. to make or keep separate by or as by a boundary or partition
  4. to give out in shares; apportion; distribute
  5. to cause disagreement between or among; alienate
  6. to separate (a parliamentary body) into groups in voting on a question
  7. Math.
    1. to separate into equal parts by a divisor
    2. to function as a divisor of
  8. Mech. to mark off the divisions of; graduate; gradate

Origin: ME dividen < L dividere, to separate, divide, distribute < di- (< dis-, apart) + base seen in vidua, widow < IE base *weidh-, to separate (prob. < wi-, apart + dhē, set, do)

intransitive verb

  1. to be or become separate; part
  2. to differ in opinion; disagree
  3. to separate into groups in voting on a question: said of a parliament, esp. that of the United Kingdom
  4. to share
  5. Math.
    1. to do division
    2. to undergo division; be divisible (by)

noun

  1. the act of dividing
  2. ☆ a ridge that divides two drainage areas; watershed
  3. a division; boundary

Related Forms:

See divide in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb di·vid·ed, di·vid·ing, di·vides
verb, transitive
  1. a. To separate into parts, sections, groups, or branches: divided the students into four groups. See Synonyms at separate.
    b. To sector into units of measurement; graduate: The ruler was divided into metric units.
    c. To separate and group according to kind; classify: divided the plants by genus.
  2. a. To cause to separate into opposing factions; disunite: “They want not to divide either the Revolution or the Church but to be an integral part of both” (Conor Cruise O'Brien).
    b. To cause (members of a parliament) to vote by separating into groups, as pro and con.
  3. To separate from something else; cut off: A mountain chain divides France and Spain.
  4. To apportion among a number: Volunteers divided the different jobs among themselves. See Synonyms at distribute.
  5. Mathematics
    a. To subject (a number) to the process of division: divided 20 by 4.
    b. To be a divisor of: 3 divides 9.
    c. To use (a number) as a divisor: divided 5 into 35.
verb, intransitive
  1. a. To become separated into parts.
    b. To branch out, as a river.
    c. To form into factions; take sides: The party divided evenly on the tax issue.
    d. To vote by dividing.
  2. Mathematics To perform the operation of division.
  3. Biology To undergo cell division.
noun
  1. A dividing point or line: “would clearly tip the court . . . across a dangerous constitutional divide” (Lawrence H. Tribe).
  2. A ridge of land; a watershed.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English dividen

Origin: , from Latin dīvidere

Origin: : dī-, dis-, dis-

Origin: + -videre, to separate

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Related Forms:

  • di·vidˈa·ble adjective

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