I. də̇ˈvīd verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English dividen, from Latin dividere, from di- (from dis- apart) + -videre to separate — more at dis- , widow
transitive verb
1.
a. : to separate into two or more parts, areas, groups : split up
divide the city into wards
b.
(1) : to separate into classes, categories, or divisions : classify
divide the field of history into epochs
(2) logic : to separate (classes or class terms) by abstraction or by restriction of denotation : distinguish
c. : to pass through : cleave in passage
the swift ship dividing the waves
2.
a. : to separate into parts or portions and give out in shares : distribute
divide the profits among the several owners of the business
— sometimes used with up
they divided up the remaining food
b. : to possess, enjoy, or make use of in common : share in
divide the blame with his companion
c. : to separate into parts or portions and assign to or set apart for various dispositions, concerns, or activities
divide his time between the office and the golf course
3.
a. : to cause to be separate, distinct, or apart from one another
deep gulf which … divides the living from the dead — W.R.Inge
: keep apart by or as if by a partition
stone walls divide the fields
b. : to separate into opposing sides or parties : disunite in opinion or interest : set at variance : cause to disagree
no controversy had ever so divided the country
students were divided on the issue
c. Britain : to call (a parliamentary body) to a vote on a question or issue
4.
a. : to mark divisions on : graduate
divide a sextant
b.
(1) : to subject to mathematical division
(2) : to locate one or more points on (a line or its extension)
c. obsolete : to play or sing in a florid style : perform divisions upon (as a melody)
intransitive verb
1. archaic : to make distinctions (as in logic)
divide with reason between self-love and society — Francis Bacon
2. : to perform mathematical division
3.
a.
(1) : to become separated into parts
each of the four chromosomes divides longitudinally — J.B.Grace
(2) : to branch out : fork , diverge
the railway divides here into two lines
(3) : to become separate from another part
Collier county … divided from Lee county in 1923 — American Guide Series: Florida
b. : to become separated (as in opinion or interest)
on these issues the court divided
: become disunited
the party divided into warring factions
c. : to vote by separating into two groups with those in favor in one group and those opposed in another
the House again divided, and the bill was passed by 11 votes
4.
a. archaic : to have a share : partake
you shall in all divide with us — Shakespeare
b. : to give out something in portions or shares
having plenty, he divides with others
Synonyms: see distribute , separate
II. noun
( -s )
1. : a division or distribution especially of spoils or assets
2.
a. : a dividing ridge or section of high ground between two basins or areas of drainage : watershed
b. : a point or line of division (as between differing situations or sets of circumstances)
a period marking the divide between two eras of American history
III. transitive verb
1. : to be used as a divisor with respect to (a dividend)
4 divides 16 evenly
2. : to use as a divisor — used with into
divide 14 into 42
IV. noun
: an instance of division performed by a computer ; also : the means for performing division