divide (divides plural & 3rd person present) (dividing present participle) (divided past tense & past participle )
1 verb When people or things are divided or divide into smaller groups or parts, they become separated into smaller parts.
(=split)
The physical benefits of exercise can be divided into three factors... be V-ed into pl-n
It will be easiest if we divide them into groups... V n into pl-n
Divide the pastry in half and roll out each piece... V n in fraction
We divide into pairs and each pair takes a region... V into pl-n
Bacteria reproduce by dividing and making copies of themselves. V, Also V n
2 verb If you divide something among people or things, you separate it into several parts or quantities which you distribute to the people or things.
(=share)
Divide the sauce among 4 bowls. V n between/among pl-n
3 verb If you divide a larger number by a smaller number or divide a smaller number into a larger number, you calculate how many times the smaller number can fit exactly into the larger number.
Measure the floor area of the greenhouse and divide it by six. V n by/into num
4 verb If a border or line divides two areas or divides an area into two, it keeps the two areas separate from each other.
(=separate)
...remote border areas dividing Tamil and Muslim settlements. V n
...the long frontier dividing Mexico from the United States. V n from n
5 verb If people divide over something or if something divides them, it causes strong disagreement between them., (Antonym: unite)
She has done more to divide the Conservatives than anyone else... V n
The party is likely to divide along ideological lines. V prep
6 n-count A divide is a significant distinction between two groups, often one that causes conflict.
usu sing, usu with supp
(=rift)
...a deliberate attempt to create a Hindu-Muslim divide in India.
7 n-count A divide is a moment in time or a point in a process when there is a complete change from one situation to another.
usu sing, usu with supp
(=watershed)
The time had come to cross the great divide between formality and truth.
8 You use divide and rule to refer to a policy which is intended to keep someone in a position of power by causing disagreements between people who might otherwise unite against them.
♦
divide and rule phrase
(disapproval)
The government's policies of divide and rule have only contributed to the volatility of the region. divide up
1 phrasal verb If you divide something up, you separate it into smaller or more useful groups.
(=split up)
The idea is to divide up the country into four sectors... V P n (not pron) into pl-n
The Trust needs a new law to divide it up into smaller bodies. V n P into pl-n
2 phrasal verb If you divide something up, you share it out among a number of people or groups in approximately equal parts.
The aim was to divide up the business, give everyone an equal stake in its future. V P n (not pron)