1
Stage 1 of 3
splitten
Dutch · medieval
"to split, divide"
Low Germanic verb for breaking something into parts, likely spread through sailors and shipbuilders
2
Stage 2 of 3
split
English · 1580s
"to break or divide by force"
borrowed as a nautical and general term for breaking apart
3
Stage 3 of 3
split
English · 1700s onward
"to divide into parts, or to separate"
extended to dividing shares, and later to separating or leaving
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