— divorceable , adj. — divorcer , n. — divorcive , adj.
/di vawrs", -vohrs"/ , n. , v. divorced, divorcing .
n.
1. a judicial declaration dissolving a marriage in whole or in part, esp. one that releases the husband and wife from all matrimonial obligations. Cf. judicial separation .
2. any formal separation of husband and wife according to established custom.
3. total separation; disunion: a divorce between thought and action.
v.t.
4. to separate by divorce: The judge divorced the couple.
5. to break the marriage contract between oneself and (one's spouse) by divorce: She divorced her husband.
6. to separate; cut off: Life and art cannot be divorced.
v.i.
7. to get a divorce.
[ 1350-1400; ME divortium separation, equiv. to divort ( ere ), var. of DIVERTERE to DIVERT + -ium -IUM ]
Syn. 6. dissociate, divide, disconnect, split, disjoin.