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divide Definition

di·vide (də vīd′)

transitive verb di·vid′ed, di·vid′·ing

  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

Etymology: 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

divide Related Forms

di·vid′·able adjective

divide Synonyms

divide

v.

  1. To separate by parting

    separate, part, cut up, partition, split up, sever, sunder, split, cut, fence off, disunite, disconnect, disjoin, detach, disengage, dissolve, rupture, break, dissever, dismember, unravel, carve, cleave, section, subdivide, intersect, cross, bisect, fork, branch, diverge, divaricate, rend, tear, segment, halve, quarter, dislocate, break down, demarcate, graduate, divorce, dissociate, alienate, estrange, insulate, isolate, loose, unchain, undo, unbind, count off, pull away, disentangle, chop, hew, slash, carve, splinter, split off, cut off, pull to pieces, tear apart, break apart, segregate, classify, sort, arrange, distribute, tear limb from limb*; see also break 1, cut 1, separate 2.

    Antonyms unite*, combine*, connect. *

  2. To distribute

    share, deal, dole, apportion; see distribute 1. See syn. study at distribute, separate.

divide Usage Examples

Object

  • loyalty: Donna seeks the help of the enigmatic Alan ( Adrian Dunbar ), an ex-con with sharply divided loyalties.
  • dose: Your doctor might also allow you to take your medicine in divided doses during the day.

Converse of object

bridge: The religious belief in Mithra attracted people from all walks of life, bridging the class divide.

Adjective modifier

  • north-south: It also spotlights the extent of the north-south divide between GPs.
  • North-South: Genetic sociology thus has the potential of legitimizing the North-South divide as natural and foreordained by genes.
  • sectarian: It also suggests growing strains in another of Iraq's sectarian divides.
  • digital: Care is needed in talking about the digital divide.
  • public/private: Environmental crimes affect significant numbers of people, while the range of laws governing such crimes crosses the public/private law divide.
  • East-West: Geoffrey Leech gave a plenary lecture entitled ' Politeness: Is there an East-West divide?

Preposition: into

  • category: Broadly, I think these can be divided into four categories.
  • section: Live Science is divided into three sections, the largest of which is the studio.
  • chapter: The site is, like a book, divided into chapters.
  • compartment: The lower part of the torus is divided into many seperate water-tight compartments.
  • segment: Considering the variation in water depth and ferry speed the inbound and outbound routes have been divided into various segments.
  • semester: Standard term dates 2005/06 The University academic year is divided into two semesters, shown in the above calendar.

Modifies a noun

clump: Divide clumps from established colonies in autumn or early spring tho the mass of roots means this can be a tricky exercise.

Noun used with modifier

  • north/south: What is the north/south divide, where does it start?
  • nave/chancel: North wall: plain but for two splayed window embrasures, the more easterly above the nave/chancel divide.

Present participle complement

accord: Scores for each version were compared for the group as a whole and for subgroups divided according to age, gender and IQ.

Preposition: from

nave: The south side chancel was divided from the nave by a low wooden screen, which continued across the north aisle.