Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SUB-DI-VIDE, v.t. [sub and divide.]

To divide a part of a thing into more parts; to part into smaller divisions. In the rise of eight in tones, are two half tones; so as if you divide the tones equally, the eight is but seven whole and equal notes; and if you subdivide that into half notes, as in the stops of a lute, it makes the number thirteen. – Bacon. The progenies of Cham and Japhet swarmed into colonies, and those colonies were subdivided into many others. – Dryden.