To separate into parts, sections, groups, or branches: divided the students into four groups. See Synonyms at separate.
To sector into units of measurement; graduate: The ruler was divided into metric units.
To separate and group according to kind; classify: divided the plants by genus.
To cause to separate into opposing factions; disunite: "They want not to divide either the Revolution or the Church but to be an integral part of both"(Conor Cruise O'Brien).
To cause (members of a parliament) to vote by separating into groups, as pro and con.
To subject (a number) to the process of division: divided 20 by 4.
To be a divisor of: 3 divides 9.
To use (a number) as a divisor: divided 5 into 35.
To cause to separate into opposing factions; disunite: "They want not to divide either the Revolution or the Church but to be an integral part of both"(Conor Cruise O'Brien).
To cause (members of a parliament) to vote by separating into groups, as pro and con.
To subject (a number) to the process of division: divided 20 by 4.
To be a divisor of: 3 divides 9.
To use (a number) as a divisor: divided 5 into 35.
To separate from something else; cut off: A mountain chain divides France and Spain.
To apportion among a number: Volunteers divided the different jobs among themselves. See Synonyms at distribute.
Mathematics
To subject (a number) to the process of division: divided 20 by 4.
To be a divisor of: 3 divides 9.
To use (a number) as a divisor: divided 5 into 35.
v.
intr.
To become separated into parts.
To branch out, as a river.
To form into factions; take sides: The party divided evenly on the tax issue.
To vote by dividing.
Mathematics To perform the operation of division.
Biology To undergo cell division.
n.
A dividing point or line: "would clearly tip the court . . . across a dangerous constitutional divide"(Lawrence H. Tribe).
A ridge of land; a watershed.
[Middle English dividen, from Latin dīvidere : dī-, dis-, dis- + -videre, to separate.]
Di*vide"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Divided; p. pr. & vb. n. Dividing.] [L. dividere, divisum; di- = dis- + root signifying to part; cf. Skr. vyadh to pierce; perh. akin to L. vidua widow, and E. widow. Cf. Device, Devise.]1. To part asunder (a whole); to sever into two or more parts or pieces; to sunder; to separate into parts. Divide the living child in two. --1 Kings iii. 25. 2. To cause to be separate; to keep apart by a partition, or by an imaginary line or limit; as, a wall divides two houses; a stream divides the towns. Let it divide the waters from the waters. --Gen. i. 6. 3. To make partition of among a number; to apportion, as profits of stock among proprietors; to give in shares; to distribute; to mete out; to share. True justice unto people to divide. --Spenser. Ye shall divide the land by lot. --Num. xxxiii. 54. 4. To disunite in opinion or interest; to make discordant or hostile; to set at variance. If a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom can not stand. --Mark iii. 24. Every family became now divided within itself. --Prescott. 5. To separate into two parts, in order to ascertain the votes for and against a measure; as, to divide a legislative house upon a question. 6. (Math.) To subject to arithmetical division. 7. (Logic) To separate into species; -- said of a genus or generic term. 8. (Mech.) To mark divisions on; to graduate; as, to divide a sextant. 9. (Music) To play or sing in a florid style, or with variations. [Obs.] --Spenser. Syn: To sever; dissever; sunder; cleave; disjoin; disunite; detach; disconnect; part; distribute; share.
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