Dictionary entries for 'divide'

Synonyms

di·vide (dĭ-vīd́)

[Middle English dividen, from Latin dīvidere, dī-, dis-, dis-, + -videre, to separate.]

verb: -vid·ed, -vid·ing, -vides.

1. To separate into parts, sections, groups, or branches: divided the students into four groups. See synonyms at separate
2. To sector into units of measurement; graduate: The ruler was divided into metric units.
3. To separate and group according to kind; classify: divided the plants by genus.
1. 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)
2. To cause (members of a parliament) to vote by separating into groups, as pro and con.
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
1. To subject (a number) to the process of division: divided 20 by 4.
2. To be a divisor of: 3 divides 9.
3. To use (a number) as a divisor: divided 5 into 35.

1. To become separated into parts.
2. To branch out, as a river.
3. To form into factions; take sides: The party divided evenly on the tax issue.
4. To vote by dividing.
Mathematics To perform the operation of division.
Biology To undergo cell division.

A dividing point or line: “would clearly tip the court . . . across a dangerous constitutional divide” (Lawrence H. Tribe)
A ridge of land; a watershed.