Reading Theme:
Divide: Definition, Usage & Examples (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：split apart (divide)
divide
/dɪˈvaɪd/
v.
To separate something into two or more different parts.
split apart
➕
/splɪt əˈpɑːrt/
v.
To cause something to become separate into two or more parts or sections, often physically.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'dividere' (to separate, force apart, distribute), from 'di-' (apart) + '-videre' (to separate).
💡 Mnemonic
Think of 'd' and 'i' as a knife and its cut line, slicing something in two. Or: 'I di-vide a pie.'
📖 Example
The wide river divides the city into two distinct parts, connected by several bridges.
The wide river splits the city into two distinct parts, connected by several bridges.
🔗 Collocations
divide into – to separate into smaller parts or groups
divide from – to separate one thing from another
divide up – to separate something into parts, especially to share it
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
📖 Cultural Story
The word 'divide' entered English from Latin via Old French in the 14th century. Its root in Latin 'dividere' directly means 'to force apart' or 'to distribute'. In modern culture, 'divide' is frequently used to describe social or political rifts, such as 'the digital divide' or 'deeply divided opinions'.
Meaning 2：share out (divide)
divide
/dɪˈvaɪd/
v.
To share something among a group of people so that each person gets a part.
share out
➕
/ʃɛr aʊt/
v.
To distribute or allocate something among a number of people or groups.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
After the team won the prize, they decided to divide the bonus equally among all members.
After the team won the prize, they decided to share out the bonus equally among all members.
🔗 Collocations
divide among – to share something between several people or things
divide between – to share or use something between two people or things
divide equally – to share something so that everyone gets the same amount
🔄 Synonyms
distribute (v.) – To give shares of something; deal out.
allocate (v.) – To distribute resources or duties for a particular purpose.
apportion (v.) – To divide and share out according to a plan.
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
dividend (n.) – A sum of money paid regularly (typically annually) by a company to its shareholders out of its profits.
Meaning 3：calculate division (divide)
divide
/dɪˈvaɪd/
v.
In math, to calculate how many times one number is contained within another number.
calculate division
➕
/ˈkælkjʊleɪt dɪˈvɪʒən/
v.
To perform the mathematical operation of finding out how many times one number is contained within another.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Can you help me divide 24 by 6? I need to know how many groups we can make.
Can you help me calculate how many times 6 goes into 24? I need to know how many groups we can make.
🔗 Collocations
divide by – to perform division using a specific number as the divisor
🔄 Synonyms
calculate (v.) – To determine mathematically.
🚫 Antonyms
multiply (v.) – To add a number to itself a specified number of times.
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