I. ˈshe](ə)r, ˈsha(a)], ]ə\ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, pubic region, due portion, share, from Old English scearu tonsure, pubic region; akin to Old High German skara troop, Old Norse skör hair, rim, Old English sceran, scieran to cut, shear — more at shear
1. obsolete
a. : the bony pubis or the pubic region
b.
(1) : the fork of the human body
(2) : private 3
2.
a. : a portion belonging to, due to, or contributed by an individual
his share in his father's estate
put up his share of the cost
b. : one's full or fair portion
had his share of luck
c.
(1) : the part allotted or belonging to one of a number owning together any property or interest : the undivided interest of any one of a number owning jointly or in common : an apportioned lot : allotment , dividend
(2) : any of the equal portions into which any property or invested capital is divided
a ship owned in 64 shares
usually : any of the equal interests or rights into which the entire capital stock of a corporation is divided : any of a number of equal indivisible rights or interests in the management, profits, and ultimate assets of a corporation constituting the property of those who own it and being regularly evidenced by one or more certificates — compare preferred stock
(3) shares plural , chiefly Britain : stock 28a
3. archaic : segment , piece , division : as
a. obsolete : a portion of land assigned to a particular holder
b. obsolete : a part cut off : cut , section
•
- for one's share
- on shares
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
1. : to divide and distribute in portions : apportion , divide
share one's estate between one's heirs
— usually followed by out or with
shared out the proceeds of the sale
2. : to partake of, use, experience, or enjoy with others : have a portion of
share a room
3. : to grant or be granted a share in
share one's gains with another
shared their crops in season
4. : to participate in, take, possess, or undergo in common
share danger
sharing a common responsibility
5. archaic : to allot as one's share
6. obsolete : to receive, take, or possess as one's share
intransitive verb
1. : to have a share : take part — used with in
all may share in these pleasures
willing to share in the work
2. : to apportion and take shares of something
the robbers shared and fled separately
Synonyms:
share , participate , and partake can mean to have, use, exercise, experience, or engage in something in common with another or others. share implies that one as original owner or holder grants to another the partial use, enjoyment, or possession of a thing
share your lunch with a friend
share one's enjoyment with another
none has shared so generously with the reader her personal passion for the stuffs, jewels and decorations that made the palace a wonder — Time
to share surpluses is not really to share at all — H.S.Truman
or, often with in, that one as receiver accepts the partial use, enjoyment, or possession of something belonging to or held by another
ask a neighbor to share in a Thanksgiving dinner
share in another's joy
share another's disgust at losing an important golf game
those who do not share his faith in the sufficiency of empirical science — J.E.Smith
or it can merely imply a mutual use, enjoyment, or possession of something
the few artists or writers who have shared the tastes of the average man — Roger Fry
diseases which man shares with animals — Time
participate implies a having or taking of a part of or a share in a thing, as an experience, work, or an enterprise
the citizens refused to participate in any further elections under this law — American Guide Series: Michigan
she did not participate in the inheritance of the husband after they were married — Ralph Linton
a citizen of one state has no right to participate in the government of another — R.B.Taney
invited to participate in the discussion — L.M.Goodrich
partake , often used with of and sometimes with in, implies an accepting, taking, or acquiring a share of something, especially food, drink, or a pleasure, often in extension signifying merely to consume
he had partaken of as much as a pint daily of alcohol for years — Journal American Medical Association
the story itself ceases to be merely melodramatic, and partakes of true drama — T.S.Eliot
they unconsciously partakes in his imagery — E.H.Erikson
•
- share and share alike
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English shaar, from Old English scear; akin to Middle Low German schār, schāre plowshare, Old High German scaro plowshare, Old English sceran, scieran to cut, shear
: plowshare — see plow illustration
IV. transitive verb
Etymology: alteration of shear (I)
obsolete : cut , shear , cleave , divide ; also : to form by cutting
V. transitive verb
: to tell (as thoughts or experiences) to others — often used with with
intransitive verb
: to tell insights, thoughts, reflections, or experiences to others — often used with with