n. & v.
n. 1 each of several parts into which a thing is or can be divided or marked off. 2 Geom. a part of a figure cut off by a line or plane intersecting it, esp.: a the part of a circle enclosed between an arc and a chord. b the part of a line included between two points. c the part of a sphere cut off by any plane not passing through the centre. 3 the smallest distinct part of a spoken utterance. 4 Zool. each of the longitudinal sections of the body of certain animals (e.g. worms).
v. usu. 1 intr. & tr. divide into segments. 2 intr. Biol. (of a cell) undergo cleavage or divide into many cells. segmental adj. segmentalize v.tr. (also -ise). segmentalization n. segmentally adv. segmentary adj. segmentation n.
[ L segmentum f. secare cut ]