■ noun
1》 a division of a large organization or building, dealing with a specific area of activity.
2》 an administrative district in France and other countries.
3》 ( one's ~ ) informal an area of special expertise or responsibility.
↘a specified aspect or quality: he was a bit lacking in the height ~.
Derivatives
~al adjective
~alism noun
~alization or ~alisation noun
~alize or ~alise verb
~ally adverb
Origin
ME: from OFr. departement , from departir (see depart ).