di|vide ◆◆◇ /d I va I d/ (divides , dividing , divided )
1 VERB When people or things are divided or divide into smaller groups or parts, they become separated into smaller parts. □ [be V -ed + into ] The physical benefits of exercise can be divided into three factors. □ [V n + into ] It will be easiest if we divide them into groups. □ [V n + in ] Divide the pastry in half and roll out each piece. □ [V + into ] We divide into pairs and each pair takes a region. □ [V ] Bacteria reproduce by dividing and making copies of themselves. [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. □ [V n + between/among ] Divide the sauce among 4 bowls. [Also V 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. □ [V n + by/into ] Measure the floor area of the greenhouse and divide it by six.
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. □ [V n] the decision to divide the country into autonomous regions. □ [V n + from ] …the long frontier dividing Mexico from the United States. [Also V n into pl-n]
5 VERB If people divide over something or if something divides them, it causes strong disagreement between them. □ [V n] She has done more to divide the Conservatives than anyone else. □ [V prep] The party is likely to divide along ideological lines. [Also V n prep]
6 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A divide is a significant distinction between two groups, often one that causes conflict. □ …a deliberate attempt to create a Hindu–Muslim divide in India.
7 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A divide is a moment in time or a point in a process when there is a complete change from one situation to another. □ The time had come to cross the great divide between formality and truth.
8 PHRASE 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. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Ministers will offer inducements to some, in an attempt to divide and rule.
▸ divide up
1 PHRASAL VERB If you divide something up , you separate it into smaller or more useful groups. □ [V P n + into ] The idea is to divide up the country into four sectors. □ [V n P + into ] The Trust needs a new law to divide it up into smaller bodies. [Also V n P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB If you divide something up , you share it out among a number of people or groups in approximately equal parts. □ [V P n] The aim was to divide up the business, give everyone an equal stake in its future. [Also V n P ] COLLOCATIONS divide VERB 6
noun + divide : class, gender, north-south
adjective + divide : generational, racial, sectarian
verb + divide : bridge, straddle SYNONYMS divide VERB 1
split: We split the boards down the middle.
separate: Police moved in to separate the two groups.
cut up: Halve the tomatoes, then cut them up coarsely.
partition: Bedrooms have been created by partitioning a single larger room.
segregate: Police segregated the two rival camps of protesters.
di|vi d|ed hi gh|way (divided highways ) N‑COUNT A divided highway is a road which has two lanes of traffic travelling in each direction with a strip of grass or concrete down the middle to separate the two lots of traffic. [AM ] in BRIT, use dual carriageway
divi|dend ◆◇◇ /d I v I dend/ (dividends )
1 N‑COUNT A dividend is the part of a company's profits which is paid to people who have shares in the company. [BUSINESS ] □ The first quarter dividend has been increased by nearly 4 per cent.
2 PHRASE If something pays dividends , it brings advantages at a later date. □ Steps taken now to maximise your health will pay dividends later on.
3 → see also peace dividend COLLOCATIONS dividend NOUN 1
noun + dividend : cash, share
adjective + dividend : annual, final, interim, quarterly; tax-free
dividend + be + adjective : payable
verb + dividend : pay, reap, receive; increase, reinvest; declare
di|vid|er /d I va I də r / (dividers )
1 N‑COUNT A divider is something which forms a barrier between two areas or sets of things. □ A curtain acted as a divider between this class and another.
2 N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] Dividers are an instrument used for measuring lines and for marking points along them. Dividers consist of two pointed arms joined with a hinge.
di|vi d|ing line (dividing lines )
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A dividing line is a distinction or set of distinctions which marks the difference between two types of thing or two groups. □ [+ between ] There's a very thin dividing line between joviality and hysteria.