Middle English Dictionary Entry

dī̆vīden v.
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Entry Info

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.
1b.
Math. To divide (a number); divide (a number by another); nombre dividing, divisor.
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).
3.
(a) To subdivide (a field of knowledge); (b) to classify (sth.).
4.
(a) dividen fro(m, to separate or remove (one thing) from (another); take away from; also, withhold from; (b) ~ awei, to remove (sth.).
5.
(a) To distinguish (parts of a whole); (b) ~ wordes, to choose (one's) words, be discriminating in what one says.
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.).
7.
(a) To diversify (human nature); (b) ben divided, to be diverse or opposite.
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).
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).
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.

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