4 N‑SING A split between two things is a division or difference between them. □ [+ between ] …a split between what is thought and what is felt.
5 VERB If something such as wood or a piece of clothing splits or is split , a long crack or tear appears in it. □ [V ] The seat of his short grey trousers split. □ [V n] Twist the mixture into individual sausages without splitting the skins.
6 N‑COUNT A split is a long crack or tear. □ The plastic-covered seat has a few small splits around the corners.
7 VERB If two or more people split something, they share it between them. □ [V n] I would rather pay for a meal than watch nine friends pick over and split a bill. □ [be V -ed + between ] All exhibits are for sale, the proceeds being split between Oxfam and the artist.
8 → see also splitting
▸ split off PHRASAL VERB If people split off from a group, they stop being part of the group and become separated from it. □ [V P ] Somehow, Quentin split off from his comrades. □ [V P n] …the Youth Wing which split off the National Liberal party earlier this year.
▸ split up
1 PHRASAL VERB If two people split up , or if someone or something splits them up , they end their relationship or marriage. □ [V P ] My parents split up when I was 16. □ [V n P ] I was beginning to think that nothing could ever split us up. □ [V P + with ] I split up with my boyfriend last year.
2 PHRASAL VERB If a group of people split up or are split up , they go away in different directions. □ [V P ] Did the two of you split up in the woods? □ [V P n] This situation has split up the family. □ [V n P ] Touring the album temporarily split the band up.
3 PHRASAL VERB If you split something up , or if it splits up , you divide it so that it is in a number of smaller separate sections. □ [V P n] Any thought of splitting up the company was unthinkable, they said. □ [V n P ] Even though museums have begged to borrow her collection, she could never split it up. □ [V P ] Her company has had to split up and work from two locations.
spli t e nds N‑PLURAL If you have split ends , some of your hairs are split at the ends because they are dry or damaged.
spli t in|fi ni|tive (split infinitives ) N‑COUNT A split infinitive is a structure in which an adverb is put between 'to' and the infinitive of a verb, as in 'to really experience it'. Some people think it is incorrect to use split infinitives.
spli t-le vel ADJ [usu ADJ n] A split-level house or room has part of the ground floor at a different level from another part, usually because the house has been built on ground that slopes.
spli t per|son|a l|ity (split personalities ) N‑COUNT If you say that someone has a split personality , you mean that their moods can change so much that they seem to have two separate personalities.
spli t-scree n (split-screens )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Split-screen is used to describe the technique in making films and television programmes in which two different pieces of film are shown at the same time. □ …split-screen movies.
2 N‑COUNT [oft N n] On a computer screen, a split-screen is a display of two different things in separate parts of the screen. [COMPUTING ]
spli t se |cond also split-second N‑SING A split second is an extremely short period of time. □ Her gaze met Michael's for a split second.
split|ting /spl I t I ŋ/ ADJ [ADJ n] A splitting headache is a very severe and painful one.
splodge /splɒ dʒ/ (splodges ) N‑COUNT A splodge is a large uneven mark or stain, especially one that has been caused by a liquid. [BRIT ] in AM, use splotch
splotch /splɒ tʃ/ (splotches ) N‑COUNT A splotch is a large uneven mark or stain, especially one that has been caused by a liquid.
splurge /splɜː r dʒ/ (splurges , splurging , splurged ) VERB If you splurge on something, you spend a lot of money, usually on things that you do not need. □ [V + on ] We splurged on Bohemian glass for gifts, and for ourselves.
splut|ter /splʌ tə r / (splutters , spluttering , spluttered )
1 VERB If someone splutters , they make short sounds and have difficulty speaking clearly, for example because they are embarrassed or angry. □ [V with quote] 'But it cannot be,' he spluttered. □ [V ] Molly leapt to her feet, spluttering and howling with rage.
2 VERB If something splutters , it makes a series of short, sharp sounds. □ [V ] Suddenly the engine coughed, spluttered and died.
spoil /spɔ I l/ (spoils , spoiling , spoiled , spoilt ) American English uses the form spoiled as the past tense and past participle. British English uses either spoiled or spoilt . 1 VERB If you spoil something, you prevent it from being successful or satisfactory. □ [V n] It's important not to let mistakes spoil your life. □ [be V -ed] Peaceful summer evenings can be spoilt by mosquitoes.
2 VERB If you spoil children, you give them everything they want or ask for. This is considered to have a bad effect on a child's character. □ [V n] Grandparents are often tempted to spoil their grandchildren whenever they come to visit. ● spoilt, spoiled ADJ □ A spoilt child is rarely popular with other children. □ Oh, that child. He's so spoiled.
3 VERB If you spoil yourself or spoil another person, you give yourself or them something nice as a treat or do something special for them. □ [V pron-refl] Spoil yourself with a new perfume this summer. □ [V n] Perhaps I could employ someone to iron his shirts, but I wanted to spoil him. He was my man.