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. [ 1913 Webster ] Divide the living child in two. 1 Kings iii. 25. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] Let it divide the waters from the waters. Gen. i. 6. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] True justice unto people to divide. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ] Ye shall divide the land by lot. Num. xxxiii. 54. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. To disunite in opinion or interest; to make discordant or hostile; to set at variance. [ 1913 Webster ] If a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom can not stand. Mark iii. 24. [ 1913 Webster ] Every family became now divided within itself. Prescott. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] 6. (Math.) To subject to arithmetical division. [ 1913 Webster ] 7. (Logic) To separate into species; -- said of a genus or generic term. [ 1913 Webster ] 8. (Mech.) To mark divisions on; to graduate; as, to divide a sextant. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] |