Etymology Map
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Divide

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to separate into parts

Where does the word "divide" come from? It comes from Latin dividere, adopted directly into English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
dividere
Latin · ancient
"to separate"
possibly from 'dis-' plus a root meaning to separate
2
Stage 2 of 2
divide
English · 1300s
"to separate"
'divide and rule' translates Latin 'divide et impera'
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Read the full story

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.