divorce Hear it!

divorce Definition

di·vorce (də vôrs′)

noun

  1. legal and formal dissolution of a marriage
  2. any complete separation or disunion

Etymology: ME & OFr < L divortium < divortere, var. of divertere, to turn different ways: see diverse

transitive verb divorced -·vorced′, divorcing -·vorc′·ing

  1. to dissolve legally a marriage between; separate by divorce
  2. to dissolve the marriage with (one's spouse)
  3. to separate; disunite

intransitive verb

to get a divorce
divorce Synonyms

divorce

n.

separation, estrangement, dissociation, breach, divorcement, bill of divorce, annulment, separate maintenance, parting of the ways, legal separation, judicial separation, decree nisi, dissolution, rift, split, partition, split-up, breakup, broken home; see also cancellation, division 1.

Antonyms marriage*, betrothal*, wedding.

divorce Synonyms

divorce

v.

separate, unmarry, annul, release from wedlock, release from matrimony, obtain a divorce, sunder, nullify, put away, part, split up, break up; see also cancel 2, divide 1.

divorce Law Definition

n

v

  1. The termination of a marriage by court order; the state of having terminated a marriage.
  2. To terminate a marriage to someone by obtaining a court order, usually referred to as a divorce decree. 
divisible divorce
A proceeding in which the marriage is terminated but other issues pertaining to alimony, distribution of assets, or custody of children are reserved for another proceeding in another jurisdiction or under the laws of another state. Also known as a limited divorce.
divorce a mensa et thoro. (Archaic.

Latin

Latin.) Divorce from bed and board. A proceeding, current in Britain until the nineteenth century, that resulted in the parties remaining married but living separately. The term is still used in a few jurisdictions. 
divorce a vinculo matrimonii. (Latin.)
Common law, meaning, from the bonds of marriage; a form of divorce based on grounds that preexisted the marriage, which resulted in a legal fiction that the marriage never existed (with the result that any children of the marriage are then considered illegitimate).
mail-order divorce
A divorce received through the mail or otherwise without the presence of the parties in the court granting it. Not recognized in the United States because of the lack of personal jurisdiction.
migratory divorce
A divorce obtain-ed by a spouse who moves or travels to another jurisdiction to obtain it.
no-fault divorce
A divorce granted at the parties’ request without any adjudication of wrongdoing (such as abandonment, infidelity, or mental cruelty).
divorce Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • contemplate: Episode 17 In which the bride contemplates divorce and other catastrophes.
  • want: Move on, isn't that why she wanted a divorce in the 1st place?
  • hate: Such a value-neutral term seems a bit evasive for a people whose God clearly states that He hates divorce.

Adjective modifier

  • uncontested: This document produces the Affidavit you need when you are seeking an uncontested divorce on the grounds of behavior.
  • messy: We went through a very public, very messy divorce the following year and she moved to the United States.
  • parental: More than one in four children will experience parental divorce by age 16.
  • bitter: Her death led to a bitter divorce between my parents and a split through the whole family.
  • painful: I made excuses for him: he came from a broken home, he had been through a painful divorce.

Modifies a noun

  • petition: Answer - the formal defense to a divorce petition.
  • proceeding: Richards is currently locked in a bitter divorce proceeding from Hollywood actor Charlie Sheen.
  • decree: Are financial issues dealt with before the divorce decree is granted?
  • settlement: In the divorce settlement I got both sets of forks.
  • plummet: Divorce Rate Plummets As More Americans Shack Up Instead of Getting Married More Americans are taking " til death do us part " seriously.
  • lawyer: Much of the time a good divorce lawyer can make all the difference in how messy or clean your divorce becomes.

Noun used with modifier

  • no-fault: They failed to oppose the introduction of no-fault divorce, which has devastated the stable married family.
  • DIY: Concerns that couples with something to hide might turn to DIY divorce procedures have also been expressed by Birmingham Law Society members.
divorce Quotes

Divorce is the sign of knowledge in our time.

—Williams,William Carlos

Le divorce a ordinairement une grande utilite¤   politique;

—Bre'  de et de

My best friend is myself† It's a lifelong relationship and divorce will never come into it.

—Morrissey full name Steven Patrick Morrissey

Success and failure are both difficult to endure. Along with success come drugs, divorce, fornication, bullying, travel, meditation, medication, depression, neurosis and suicide.With failure comes failure.

—Heller,Joseph

Browse dictionary entries near divorce

  1. ‹ divorcée
  2. ‹ divorcé
  3. ‹ divisor
  4. ‹ divisiveness
  5. ‹ divisively
  6. ‹ divisive
  7. ‹ divisionist
  8. ‹ divisionism
  9. ‹ divisional
  10. ‹ division sign
  1. divorced ›
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