Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DI-VIDE', v.t. [L. divido; di or dis and iduo, that is, viduo, to part. The Greek, ιδιος, ιδιωμα, ιδιωτης, are from the same root, as is the L. individuus, viduus, vidua, Eng. widow, and wide and void. See the latter words.]

1. To part or separate an entire thing; to part a thing into two or more pieces. Divide the living child in two. – 1 Kings iii.
2. To cause to be separate; to keep apart by a partition or by an imaginary line or limit. A wall divides two houses. The equator divides the earth into two hemispheres. Let the firmament divide the waters from the waters. – Gen. i.
3. To make partition of, among a number. Ye shall divide the land by lot. – Numb. xxxiii.
4. To open; to cleave. Thou didst divide the sea. – Neh. ix.
5. To disunite in opinion or interest; to make discordant. There shall be five in one house divided, three against two. – Luke. xii.
6. To distribute; to separate and bestow in parts or shares. And he divided to them his living. – Luke xv.
7. To make dividends; to apportion the interest or profits of stock among proprietors; as, the bank divides six percent.
8. To separate into two parts, for ascertaining opinions for and against a measure; as, to divide a legislative house in voting.