SHARE

n. & v. --n. 1 a portion that a person receives from or gives to a common amount. 2 a a part contributed by an individual to an enterprise or commitment. b a part received by an individual from this (got a large share of the credit). 3 part-proprietorship of property held by joint owners, esp. any of the equal parts into which a company's capital is divided entitling its owner to a proportion of the profits. --v. 1 tr. get or have or give a share of. 2 tr. use or benefit from jointly with others. 3 intr. have a share; be a sharer (shall I share with you?). 4 intr. (foll. by in) participate. 5 tr. (often foll. by out) a divide and distribute. b give away part of. øshare and share alike make an equal division. share-farmer Austral. & NZ a tenant farmer who receives a share of the profits from the owner. øøshareable adj. (also sharable). sharer n. [ME f. OE scearu division, rel. to SHEAR]