Middle English Dictionary Entry
dī̆vīden v.
Entry Info
Forms | dī̆vīden v. Also deviden, dewid. |
Etymology | L dīvīdere |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1a.
(a) To separate (sth.) into parts; break up, cut up, dismember, divide; part (a body of water, etc.); split up (an empire); (b) to separate (a group of people or things); (c) to break (sth.) up; demolish, destroy; ~ asonder; (d) to disintegrate, go to pieces; of a body of water: to become divided; of a group: to scatter; (e) of blood vessels: to have branches; ~ fro, branch off.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1375) Chaucer CT.Mk.(Manly-Rickert)B.3424 : Dyvyded is thy regne, and it shal be To Medes and to Perses yeve.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.4537 : This regne thanne he schal divide.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)1602 : It [this kyngdam] shal be devyded A-twen ȝow two.
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)Gen.15.10 : The briddis forsothe he dyuydide [WB(2): departide] not.
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)Ex.14.16 : Strecche out thin hoond vpon the see, and dyuyde [WB(2): departe] it, that the sones of Yrael goon thurȝ the drye.
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)3 Kings 3.25 : 'Deuydith,' he seith, 'the quyk child in two parties.'
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)3.pr.9.97 : Thilke thyng..that is oon and symple in his nature, the wikkidnesse of men departeth it and divideth it.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)3.pr.11.166 : The thinges that ben softe and fletynge..departen lyghtly and yeven place to hem that breken or divyden hem.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)101a/b : Diete & pocion..diuidyng þe congeled materie.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.162 : That þing..may not be devided propirly.
- (1451) Capgr.St.Gilb.(Add 36704)62/2 : Auctouris whech dyuyde names in partes.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)357/61 : We can..sle tho disciplis..and here bodyes devyde.
b
- a1400(?a1325) Bonav.Medit.(1) (Hrl 1701)1023 : Oure felawshepe ys now dyuydyd, For y may nat with þe be byryed.
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)2 Kings 1.23 : In deeth thei ben not deuydide.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)7220 : Þus ordant were all men..In batels..Ector..deuydyt his pepull.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)2790 : And erlis of all ȝour emperire [read: empire] enterely deuydid, Ȝoure lore & ȝoure legaunce lethirly forsaken.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)66/25 : Also be-ware that he deuyde noȝt his synnes to prestis..as for to hyde o synne to this man and to schewe to a-nother man a-nother synne.
c
- a1425 Methodius(1) (Hrl 1900)98/6 : God by his wraþ diuided þat þei bigunnen to make, and þei beþ disparpled vppon þe face of al erþe.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)14842 : Ther ys..Nouther cyte, borgh nor toun, But that I..Haue hem tournyd vp so doun..devydede hem assonder.
d
- (c1375) Chaucer CT.Mk.(Manly-Rickert)B.3380 : Fortune caste hym doun..And sodeynly his regne gan dyuyde.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)prol.880 : The world..stant of brutel Erthe and Stiel, The whiche acorden nevere a diel..As thing the which men sen divide.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.1661 : God bad the rede See divide, Which stod upriht on either side.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)3.2342 : Ye shul..assonder nat departe, But keep you cloos, & for no dreed deuide.
e
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)26/12 : Þese arteries ben deuydid many weies.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)158/26 : Þis veyne þat is dyuydid fro þis assellari strecchiþ to þe vttere partie of þe schuldre.
1b.
Math. To divide (a number); divide (a number by another); nombre dividing, divisor.
Associated quotations
- ?c1425 Craft Number.(Eg 2622)6/4 : Articulis ben alle þat may be deuidyt in-to nomburs of ten..as twenty, thretty.
- a1450 Treat.Music (Lnsd 763)266/25 : Þan þu must..deuyde it in-to sweche parties þat be aliquota.
- c1450 Art Number.(Ashm 396)43/21 : For to dyvyde oo nombre by a-nother.
- c1450 Art Number.(Ashm 396)43/25 : In makynge of dyvysioun ther ben 3 nombres necessary:..the nombre to be dyvydede; the nombre dyvydyng, and the nombre exeant.
2.
(a) To subdivide (an area, a country, the atmosphere, a composition, an organ, etc.); divide (into sections or parts); ~ in parties; ~ into thre; (b) of a hoof or paw: to be divided; (c) to delimit (a sector); (d) to be a boundary between (sections).
Associated quotations
a
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)7.107 : Canute..devided and departed [L divisit] þe reame..into four parties.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.266 : Air in Periferies thre Divided is.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)108/16 : Dyuers men þat maken dyuers anotamie dyuyden [vr. devydeþ] þe brayn panne diuerslych.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)104/26 : Ynde is devyded in iij princypall parties.
- a1450(1391) Chaucer Astr.(Benson-Robinson)introd.29 : This tretis, divided in 5 parties.
- a1450(1391) Chaucer Astr.(Benson-Robinson)1.4.1 : This moder is dividid on the bakhalf with a lyne.
- a1450(1391) Chaucer Astr.(Benson-Robinson)2.26.35 : This forseide right orisonte, that is clepid Orison Rectum, dividith the equinoxial into right angles.
- a1450(c1400-25) Legat Serm.PD (Wor F.10)21/93 : This sermon is deuidid in-to þre principalis & ech of þe principalis in-to þre parties.
- c1450(c1405) Mum & S.(2) (Add 41666)1010 : Thayr [bees'] dwellingz been dyuyded..And many a queynt caue been cumpassid [wy]þynne.
- a1475(a1447) Bokenham MAngl.(Hrl 4011)24/6 : This kyngdam was sum-tyme dyuydyd [Trev.Higd. 2.107: i-deled] & departid yn tylle ii provyncis..Deira and..Bernicia.
- a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Hrl 7333)5 : Þe herte..is devidid ynto þre, scil. praying, Almysdede, and fastyng.
b
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)Lev.11.3,6 : Alle [beestis] that han the clee dyuydid [WB(2): departid] ȝe mowen ete..an haar..chewith kude, but the clee he dyuidith not [L non dividit].
c
- a1450(1391) Chaucer Astr.(Benson-Robinson)1.5.11 : Now hast thou here the foure quarters of thin Astrolabie divided after the foure principales plages or quarters of the firmament.
d
- a1450(1391) Chaucer Astr.(Benson-Robinson)1.18.9 : The orizonte, that is to seyn, the cercle that divideth the two emysperies..the partie of the hevene above the erthe and the partie bynethe.
3.
(a) To subdivide (a field of knowledge); (b) to classify (sth.).
Associated quotations
a
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.147 : Mathematique Devided is in sondri wise..Arsmetique..Musique..Geometrie..Astronomie.
b
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.1269 : Thus ben the Signes [of the Zodiac] propreli Divided..Wherof the londes ben diversed.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)318b/b : Milk is generally diuided in þre manere, for milk is swete & newe y melked, and oþer is sour and olde mylked, or mene bitwene.
- a1425 Wycl.MCh.(Bod 788)407 : Crist..devydiþ al mankynde in þre partis..ordeynours of mennis state here in erþe..laboreris..[those who] lyven contemplatif liif.
- a1425 Templ.Dom.(Add 32578)531 : Bot 7 vices I haue asspide Þat fyghten a-gaynes charyte. In thre partys þare deuyde: Two ben a-gaynes gods pauste [etc.].
4.
(a) dividen fro(m, to separate or remove (one thing) from (another); take away from; also, withhold from; (b) ~ awei, to remove (sth.).
Associated quotations
a
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.4133 : The regne fro the rihtfull blod Evere afterward divided was.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)3759 : Ethiocles..To hym reserued..the regalye, with Sceptre and Croune fro hym not devyded.
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)Gen.1.4 : God sawȝ liȝt, that it was good, and deuydid [WB(2): departide; L divisit] liȝt fro derknessis.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)3.pr.11.74 : Yif the parties of the body ben so devyded and disseverid the ton fro the tother that thei destroyen unite.
- c1450(?c1400) Wycl.Elucid.(StJ-C G.25)5 : Þe secunde day [God] divydide goostly creature fro bodily creature, þat is to seie, light fro derknesse.
- c1450 De CMulieribus (Add 10304)586 : This lady [Ceres]..Taught to thressh the greyn out of the eere And than to grynde it..the mele for-to appere, Diuyded it..From the paless and the charfe-bran.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)2.B.2121 : After the soule fro the bodye was deuydyd.
- a1500(?c1378) Wycl.OPastor.(Ryl Eng 86)426 : Ȝif þe pope & alle his clerkis weren dyuydid fro cristis chirche.
b
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)7.108 : The bowes of that tre..let hewe of or diuyde Away.
5.
(a) To distinguish (parts of a whole); (b) ~ wordes, to choose (one's) words, be discriminating in what one says.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.51 : Aristotiles These thre sciences [Theorique, Rethorique, Practique] hath divided [i.e. as subdivisions of 'philosophy'].
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)5.m.4.34 : Whennes comith thilke knowynge in our soule, that discernith and byholdith alle thinges?..Or whennes is the strengthe that devydeth thinges iknowe [L quae cognita diuidit]?
- c1475(?a1449) ?Lydg.7 Counsels (Trin-C R.3.21)17 : Thynges passyd remembre & well dyuyde, Thynges present consider & well gouerne.
b
- a1475 As I stod in (Brog 2.1)p.63 : Now wysly, mane, thi wordis dewyd; Be-war whom thou spekyst hylle!
6.
(a) To specify (sth.), declare specifically; point out, describe in detail; (b) to specify or fix (the seasons); (c) to plan or design (sth.).
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1425 Wycl.CChron.(2) (Em 85)177/60 : Formosus [was] chosun in to þe popehode, which devidide alle þe dedis of pope john his predecessour to be voide and veyne.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.4204 : Our gret hatreede..Our cruel deedis..Senech rehersith hem in especiall In his tragedies; and ther he doth deuyde Our compleyntis, our malice & our pride, [etc.].
- c1450(?c1408) Lydg.RS (Frf 16)2723 : My wey..The whiche, shortly to devyde, Strechched toward the ryghte syde.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)393/28 : Londes and rentis..to be hold..as hit is dyvyded and conteyned in the charter.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)434/33 : The forsaid iiij d. of yerely rent, as hit is dyuyded afore.
b
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)1.m.6.22 : God tokneth and assigneth the tymes..ne he ne suffreth nat the stowndes, whiche that hymself hath devyded and constreyned [L quas ipse coercuit], to ben imedled togidre.
c
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.670 : Þe stretis large & wyde Wer by crafte so prudently prouided, And by werkemen sette so and deuided, Þat holsom eyr amyddis myȝt enspire.
7.
(a) To diversify (human nature); (b) ben divided, to be diverse or opposite.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.396 : The myhti god..Of man..Hath so devided the nature, That non til other wel acordeth.
b
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)332b/a : Þinges þat moueþ dounward beþ y cleped weighty..Þinges that moeueþ vpward ben y cleped lighte þinges, and so light and weighte beþ diuidid as hit were contraries.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)5.m.3.8 : Thei [purveaunce of God and fre wil] ben singuler and dyvided, ne that they ne wole nat ben medled ne couplid togidre.
8.
(a) Of persons, countries: to disagree, be in disagreement; be contentious; stonden divided; (b) to make (persons) disagree; ~ bitwe(ne, cause estrangement between (God and man).
Associated quotations
a
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)prol.127 : The regnes ben divided; In stede of love is hate guided.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)prol.888 : This world..is old and fieble and vil..And stant divided.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.4505 : Þou hast shad out chef of al þi galle..To maken hertis amonge hem silfe devide!
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.4530 : A regne in hit silfe deuided Shal recurles tourne wilde and wast.
- ?a1450(1422) Lydg.SD (McC 182)56/13 : Thei stode disseuered and devidid, whiche was one of þe chefe occasion of distruccion.
- a1500 Methodius(3) (Stw 953)343 : Whan þey..wern so devyd, These sonys of noye a-bowte gun sprede.
b
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Is.59.2 : Ȝoure wickidnesses deuydeden betwe [vr. betwene] ȝou and ȝoure God [L diviserunt inter vos et Deum].
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)5.24 : Fortune..made flete In-to her sugre galle of discordance..her hertis..to seueryn & deuyde.
9.
(a) To distribute (one's property); ~ among, ~ to; (b) to assign or allot (a share to sb.); (c) fig. to distribute (love, grace, arrows).
Associated quotations
a
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Prov.11.24 : Othere men deuyden [WB(2): departen] proper thingus and ben maad richere.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)prol.706 : He schop his Regnes to divide To knyhtes, whiche him hadde served.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)4800 : The souerain hym seluon soberly deuidet Tho godes to his gomes, as hym graith thoght.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)203/5 : [He] bad hym go devide it emang his brethir.
- (1451) Lin.DDoc.47/6 : I will that the kirke of Someretby & my chauntre prests..haue ye chalis, bokys, vestmentes..as I in my life deuided yam be indenture.
b
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)Lev.7.10 : To alle the sones of Aaron euen mesure bi echon shal be dyuydid [WB(2): shal be departyd; L dividetur].
c
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)19.210 : I wil dele to-daye & dyuyde grace to alkynnes creatures.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)878 : The God of Love, that can devyde Love, and as hym likith it be.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.5633 : Who to loue is contrarious, The God of Loue will quite hym..His dreedful arwis so mortali deuyde To hurte & mayme alle [etc.].
10.
Misc. senses: (a) to keep (things) apart or distinct; (b) to meet as separate groups; (c) to occur in specific events; (d) ?to drive (sth.) away, dispel.
Associated quotations
a
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)21/13 : Þe foormal vertu which almyȝty god haþ ȝeue to þe maris [i.e. matrix] ordeyneþ & diuidid [Add: deff[e]ndeþ] euery partie of þese spermes in her kynde, til þat þe child be born.
b
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)1956 : The principal Captayn..There as the footmen and the hors dyuide He hath his place, al to gouerne & gide.
c
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)4.pr.6.84 : Lat the unfoldynge of temporel ordenaunce..be cleped purveaunce; and thilke same assemblynge and oonynge, devyded and unfolden by tymes [L digesta atque explicata temporibus], lat that ben called destyne.
d
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)1.m.5.20 : Thow devydest the swyfte tydes [L dividis horas] of the nyght, whan the hote somer is comen.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- c1500(?a1437) ?Jas.I KQ (SeldArch B.24)st.9 : So uncouthly hir werdes sche devideth, Namly in youth, that seilden ought provideth.
Note: Supplemental material for sense 5.(b).--per KC