v. & n.
--v.
1. tr. & intr. (often foll. by in, into) separate or be separated into parts; break up; split (the river divides into two; the road divides; divided them into three groups).
2 tr. & intr. (often foll. by out) distribute; deal; share (divided it out between them).
3 tr. a cut off; separate; part (divide the sheep from the goats). b mark out into parts (a ruler divided into inches). c specify different kinds of, classify (people can be divided into two types).
4 tr. cause to disagree; set at variance (religion divided them).
5 Math. a tr. find how many times (a number) contains another (divide 20 by 4). b intr. (of a number) be contained in (a number) without a remainder (4 divides into 20). c intr. be susceptible of division (10 divides by 2 and 5). d tr. find how many times (a number) is contained in another (divide 4 into 20).
6 intr. Math. do division (can divide well).
7 Parl. a intr. (of a legislative assembly etc.) part into two groups for voting (the House divided). b tr. so divide (a Parliament etc.) for voting.
--n.
1. a dividing or boundary line (the divide between rich and poor).
2 a watershed.
Phrases and idioms:
divided against itself formed into factions. divided highway US a dual carriageway. divided skirt culottes. the Great Divide the boundary between life and death.
Etymology: ME f. L dividere divis- (as DI-(2), vid- separate)