■ verb
1》 separate or be separated into parts.
↘(usu. ~ something between ) separate into portions and share out.
↘form a boundary between.
2》 disagree or cause to disagree.
3》 Mathematics find how many times (a number) contains another: 36 ~d by 2 equals 18.
↘(of a number) be susceptible of division without a remainder.
■ noun
1》 an instance of dividing or being ~d.
2》 chiefly US a ridge or line of high ground forming the division between two valleys or river systems.
Phrases
~ and rule (or conquer ) maintain control over subordinates or opponents by encouraging dissent between them so that they do not unite in opposition.
Derivatives
~d adjective
Origin
ME: from L. divis- , ~re 'force apart, remove'.