divorce

di·vorce   (dĭ-vôrs', -vōrs')    n.   The legal dissolution of a marriage. A complete or radical severance of closely connected things. v.   di·vorced, di·vorc·ing, di·vorc·es v.   tr. To dissolve the marriage bond between. To end marriage with (one's spouse) by way of legal divorce. To cut off; separate or disunite: an idea that was completely divorced from reality. See Synonyms at separate. v.   intr. To obtain a divorce. [Middle English, from Old French, from Latin dīvortium, from dīvortere, to divert, variant of dīvertere; see divert.]

divorce 

Main Entry: di·vorce
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French, from Latin divortium, from divortere divertere to leave one's marriage partner, from di- away, apart + vertere to turn
: the dissolution of a valid marriage granted esp. on specified statutory grounds (as adultery) arising after the marriage —compare ANNULMENT
NOTE: The most common grounds for divorce are absence from the marital home, drug or alcohol addiction, adultery, cruelty, conviction of a crime, desertion, insanity, and nonsupport.

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absolute divorce
: a divorce that completely and permanently dissolves the marital relationship and terminates marital rights (as property rights) and obligations (as fidelity)

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divorce a men·sa et tho·ro
/-"A-'men-s&-"et-'thor-O, -"ä-'men-sä-"et-'thO-rO/
: a separation governed by a court order : LEGAL SEPARATION

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divorce a vin·cu·lo mat·ri·mo·nii
/-"A-'vi[ng]-kyu-"lO-"ma-tr&-'mO-nE-"I, -"ä-'vi[ng]-kü-"lO-"mä-trE-'mO-nE-"E/
: ABSOLUTE DIVORCE in this entry

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limited divorce
: an intentional cessation of cohabitation between spouses : SEPARATION

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no–fault divorce
: an absolute divorce that is not based on either spouse's fault and that is granted usually on the grounds of an irretrievable breakdown or when husband and wife have lived apart for a statutorily specified period of time

Divorce

The dissolution of the marriage tie was regulated by the Mosaic law (Deut. 24:1-4). The Jews, after the Captivity, were reguired to dismiss the foreign women they had married contrary to the law (Ezra 10:11-19). Christ limited the permission of divorce to the single case of adultery. It seems that it was not uncommon for the Jews at that time to dissolve the union on very slight pretences (Matt. 5:31, 32; 19:1-9; Mark 10:2-12; Luke 16:18). These precepts given by Christ regulate the law of divorce in the Christian Church.