[bawl-kuh-nahyz] 
| 1. | to divide (a country, territory, etc.) into small, quarrelsome, ineffectual states. |
| 2. | (often lowercase ) to divide (groups, areas, etc.) into contending and usually ineffectual factions: a movement to balkanize minority voters. |
| Bal·kan·ize or bal·kan·ize (bôl'kə-nīz') tr.v. Bal·kan·ized or bal·kan·ized, Bal·kan·iz·ing or bal·kan·iz·ing, Bal·kan·iz·es or bal·kan·iz·es To divide (a region or territory) into small, often hostile units. [From the political division of the Balkans in the early 20th century.] Bal'kan·i·za'tion n. |