I. də-ˈvīd verb
( di·vid·ed ; di·vid·ing )
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin dividere, from dis- + -videre to separate — more at widow
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to separate into two or more parts, areas, or groups
divide the city into wards
b. : to separate into classes, categories, or divisions
divide history into epochs
c. : cleave , part
a ship dividing the waves
2.
a. : to separate into portions and give out in shares : distribute
divide profits
b. : to possess, enjoy, or make use of in common
divide the blame
c. : apportion
divide s her time between the office and home
3.
a. : to cause to be separate, distinct, or apart from one another
fields divided by stone walls
b. : to separate into opposing sides or parties
the issues that divide us
c. : to cause (a parliamentary body) to vote by division
4.
a. : to subject (a number or quantity) to the operation of finding how many times it contains another number or quantity
divide 42 by 14
b. : to be used as a divisor with respect to (a dividend)
4 divide s 16 evenly
c. : to use as a divisor — used with into
divide 14 into 42
intransitive verb
1. : to perform mathematical division
2.
a.
(1) : to undergo replication, multiplication, fission, or separation into parts
(2) : to branch out
b. : to become separated or disunited especially in opinion or interest
Synonyms: see separate , distribute
• di·vid·able -ˈvī-də-bəl adjective
II. noun
Date: 1642
1. : an act of dividing
2.
a. : a dividing ridge between drainage areas
b. : a point or line of division or disagreement