DictionaryRoot: dividere

Latin

dividere

to divide, force apart

4 / 4

Small rectangular garden bed first divided into two halves by a simple border, one half further split into three smaller plots by two short cross borders; further subdivision clear, sparse seedlings only and no labels.

verb

subdivide

sub-duh-VYDE/ˈsʌbdɪvaɪd/

To divide into smaller parts.

Etymology

subLatinunder; up from under; subordinate or lesser

+divideLatinto divide

Here sub- marks a further division: portions already separated are divided again. That original sense explains the emphasis on making smaller parts.

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