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Where does the word "divide" come from? It comes from Latin dividere, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).
Read the full story
Where does the word "divide" come from? It comes from Latin dividere, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).
Divide’s story begins in Latin: dividere meant “to separate.” Possibly from 'dis-' plus a root meaning to separate. It reached English by 1300s as divide. 'divide and rule' translates Latin 'divide et impera'. Today, divide means to separate into parts.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient dividere "to separate", possibly from 'dis-' plus a root meaning to separate.
- Stage 2 · English · 1300s divide "to separate", 'divide and rule' translates Latin 'divide et impera'.