- Divide
- Divide Di*vide", v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Divided}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Dividing}.] [L. dividere, divisum; di- = dis- + root
signifying to part; cf. Skr. vyadh to pierce; perh. akin to
L. vidua widow, and E. widow. Cf. {Device}, {Devise}.]
1. To part asunder (a whole); to sever into two or more parts
or pieces; to sunder; to separate into parts.
[1913 Webster]
Divide the living child in two. --1 Kings iii. 25. [1913 Webster]
2. To cause to be separate; to keep apart by a partition, or by an imaginary line or limit; as, a wall divides two houses; a stream divides the towns. [1913 Webster]
Let it divide the waters from the waters. --Gen. i. 6. [1913 Webster]
3. To make partition of among a number; to apportion, as profits of stock among proprietors; to give in shares; to distribute; to mete out; to share. [1913 Webster]
True justice unto people to divide. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
Ye shall divide the land by lot. --Num. xxxiii. 54. [1913 Webster]
4. To disunite in opinion or interest; to make discordant or hostile; to set at variance. [1913 Webster]
If a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom can not stand. --Mark iii. 24. [1913 Webster]
Every family became now divided within itself. --Prescott. [1913 Webster]
5. To separate into two parts, in order to ascertain the votes for and against a measure; as, to divide a legislative house upon a question. [1913 Webster]
6. (Math.) To subject to arithmetical division. [1913 Webster]
7. (Logic) To separate into species; -- said of a genus or generic term. [1913 Webster]
8. (Mech.) To mark divisions on; to graduate; as, to divide a sextant. [1913 Webster]
9. (Music) To play or sing in a florid style, or with variations. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Syn: To sever; dissever; sunder; cleave; disjoin; disunite; detach; disconnect; part; distribute; share. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
