[di.vi.sion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L division-, divisio, fr. dividere to divide] (14c) 1 a: the act or process of dividing: the state of being divided b: the act, process, or an instance of distributing among a number: distribution c obs: a method of arranging or disposing (as troops)
2: one of the parts or groupings into which a whole is divided or is divisible
3: the condition or an instance of being divided in opinion or interest: disagreement, disunity "exploited the ~s between the two countries"
4. a: something that divides, separates, or marks off b: the act, process, or an instance of separating or keeping apart: separation
5: the mathematical operation of dividing something
6. a: a self-contained major military unit capable of independent action b: a tactical military unit composed of headquarters and usu. three to five brigades c (1): the basic naval administrative unit (2): a tactical subdivision of a squadron of ships d: a unit of the U.S. Air Force higher than a wing and lower than an air force
7. a: a portion of a territorial unit marked off for a particular purpose (as administrative or judicial functions) b: an administrative or operating unit of a governmental, business, or educational organization 8: the physical separation into different lobbies of the members of a parliamentary body voting for and against a question 9: plant propagation by dividing parts and planting segments capable of producing roots and shoots 10: a group of organisms forming part of a larger group; specif: a primary category of the plant kingdom 11: a competitive class or category (as in boxing or wrestling) syn see part -- di.vi.sion.al adj