n. & v.
--n.
1. each of several parts into which a thing is or can be divided or marked off.
2 Geom. a part of a figure cut off by a line or plane intersecting it, esp.: a the part of a circle enclosed between an arc and a chord. b the part of a line included between two points. c the part of a sphere cut off by any plane not passing through the centre.
3 the smallest distinct part of a spoken utterance.
4 Zool. each of the longitudinal sections of the body of certain animals (e.g. worms).
--v. usu.
1. intr. & tr. divide into segments.
2 intr. Biol. (of a cell) undergo cleavage or divide into many cells.
Derivatives:
segmental adj. segmentalize v.tr. (also -ise). segmentalization n. segmentally adv. segmentary adj. segmentation n.
Etymology: L segmentum f. secare cut