/ ˈbɔːlkənaɪz; NAmE ; BrE also ˈbɒl-/ verb
[ vn ] to divide a region into smaller regions which are unfriendly or aggressive towards each other
► Bal·kan·iza·tion / ˌbɔːlkənaɪˈzeɪʃn; NAmE ; BrE also ˌbɒl-/ noun [ U ]
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WORD ORIGIN
1920s: from Balkan Peninsula (where this was done in the late 19th and early 20th cent.) + -ize .