The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook by BETTER WORDS R. B. Skinner

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divide

verb

/dɪˈvaɪd/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of divide

To separate or split something into distinct parts or sections.
"The supervisor will divide the project into manageable phases."

Detailed meaning of divide

It involves creating a division or barrier that separates one entity or concept from another. When something is divided, it is partitioned or segmented, often with the intention of organizing, categorizing, or allocating resources or elements. This action can be applied to physical objects, such as dividing a cake into slices, or to abstract concepts, such as dividing responsibilities among team members. The act of dividing can also imply creating a distinction, difference, or separation between individuals, groups, or ideas, resulting in a sense of separation or disconnection. Dividing can be done intentionally or unintentionally and is often used as a means of organization, analysis, or classification.

Example sentences containing divide

1. Please divide the cake into equal portions.
2. The river divides the city into two distinct neighborhoods.
3. We need to divide the workload among the team members.
4. The fence divides the yard from the street.
5. They decided to divide their assets equally after the divorce.
6. Can you divide these numbers in your head?

History and etymology of divide

The verb 'divide' has its etymological roots in the Latin word 'dividere,' which means 'to separate' or 'to split.' The Latin 'dividere' is formed from the prefix 'di-,' which means 'apart,' and 'videre,' which means 'to see' or 'to perceive.' Therefore, the etymology of 'divide' conveys the action of separating something into distinct parts or sections, as if making them visually or perceptually distinct from each other. This fundamental idea of separation and splitting has remained at the core of the word's meaning throughout its linguistic evolution. Today, 'divide' is used to describe the act of creating boundaries or distinctions, whether it be in physical objects, concepts, or groups of people.

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Further usage examples of divide

1. The instructor asked the students to divide into groups for the activity.
2. The politician's controversial statements are likely to divide public opinion.
3. The earthquake caused the ground to divide, creating a deep fissure.
4. The teacher used a ruler to divide the paper into even sections.
5. The company plans to divide the project into different phases.
6. The political party is trying to divide the electorate along ideological lines.
7. The experiment aims to divide the participants into control and experimental groups.
8. The chef instructed the kitchen staff to divide the ingredients into separate bowls.
9. The construction company will divide the land into smaller lots for residential development.
10. The activist group hopes to divide society's attention away from superficial issues and focus on important matters.
11. The chef demonstrated how to divide the chicken into individual cuts.
12. The management team decided to divide the office space into cubicles for better organization.
13. The teacher asked the students to divide their time between studying and extracurricular activities.
14. The company's decision to outsource certain tasks may divide the workforce.