a judicial declaration dissolving a marriage in whole or in part, esp. one that releases the husband and wife from all matrimonial obligations. Compare judicial separation.
2.
any formal separation of husband and wife according to established custom.
3.
total separation; disunion: a divorce between thought and action.
–verb (used with object)
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.
–verb (used without object)
7.
to get a divorce.
[Origin: 1350–1400; ME < AF < L dīvortium separation, equiv. to dīvort(ere), var. of dīvertere to divert+ -ium-ium]
1377, from O.Fr. divorce, from L. divortium "separation, dissolution of marriage," from divertere "to separate, leave one's husband, turn aside" (see divert). Not distinguished in Eng. from legal separation until mid-19c. Divorcee, from Fr., first recorded 1813. It can be either m. or f.
part; cease or break association with; "She disassociated herself from the organization when she found out the identity of the president" [syn: disassociate]
2.
get a divorce; formally terminate a marriage; "The couple divorced after only 6 months"
Di*vert"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Diverted; p. pr. & vb. n. Diverting.] [F. divertir, fr. L. divertere, diversum, to go different ways, turn aside; di- = dis- + vertere to turn. See Verse, and cf. Divorce.]1. To turn aside; to turn off from any course or intended application; to deflect; as, to divert a river from its channel; to divert commerce from its usual course. That crude apple that diverted Eve. --Milton. 2. To turn away from any occupation, business, or study; to cause to have lively and agreeable sensations; to amuse; to entertain; as, children are diverted with sports; men are diverted with works of wit and humor. We are amused by a tale, diverted by a comedy. --C. J. Smith. Syn: To please; gratify; amuse; entertain; exhilarate; delight; recreate. See Amuse.
Di*vorce"\, n. [F. divorce, L. divortium, fr. divortere, divertere, to turn different ways, to separate. See Divert.]1. (Law) (a) A legal dissolution of the marriage contract by a court or other body having competent authority. This is properly a divorce, and called, technically, divorce a vinculo matrimonii. "from the bond of matrimony." (b) The separation of a married woman from the bed and board of her husband -- divorce a mensa et toro (or thoro), "from bed board." 2. The decree or writing by which marriage is dissolved. 3. Separation; disunion of things closely united. To make divorce of their incorporate league. --Shak. 4. That which separates. [Obs.] --Shak. Bill of divorce. See under Bill.
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Audio Help [di-vawrs, -vohrs] Pronunciation Key noun, verb -vorced, -vorc·ing. 
