Topic: NUMBERS
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| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Origin: | dividere, from videre 'to separate' |
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di‧vide1 S1 W2
1 if something divides, or if you divide it, it separates into two or more parts
separate
[intransitive and transitive] divide something into something Scientists traditionally divide the oceans into zones. The book is divided into six sections.
Scientists traditionally divide the oceans into zones.The book is divided into six sections.2 to keep two areas separate from each other : The Wall used to divide East and West Berlin.
keep separate
also divide off [transitive]The Wall used to divide East and West Berlin.3 to separate something into parts and share them between people
share
also divide up [transitive]4 if you divide your time, energy etc between different activities or places, you spend part of your time doing each activity or in each place
spend time/energy
[transitive]5
mathematics
a) [transitive]HMN to calculate how many times one number contains a smaller number [↪ multiply]
divide something by something If you divide 21 by 3, you get 7. 'What's six divided by three?' 'Two'.
If you divide 21 by 3, you get 7.'What's six divided by three?' 'Two'.b) [intransitive]HMN to be contained exactly in a number one or more times
divide into 8 divides into 64.
8 divides into 64.6 to make people disagree so that they form groups with different opinions :
disagree
[transitive]PPG7 to defeat or control people by making them argue with each other instead of opposing you
divide and rule/conquer
PGPPG8 a feeling you have when two people you like have argued and you are not sure which person you should support : Divorce is an agony of divided loyalties for children.
divided loyalties
Divorce is an agony of divided loyalties for children.