bisect

[bahy-sekt, bahy-sekt, bahy-sekt]

verb (used with object)

1. to cut or divide into two equal or nearly equal parts.

2. Geometry.,  to cut or divide into two equal parts.

   to bisect an angle.

3. to intersect or cross.

   the spot where the railroad tracks bisect the highway.

verb (used without object)

1. to split into two, as a road; fork.

   There's a charming old inn just before the road bisects.

noun

1. Also called split. Philately.,  a portion of a stamp, usually half, used for payment of a proportionate amount of the face value of the whole stamp.

bisect

/ baɪˈsɛkt, baɪˈsɛkʃən /

verb

1. (tr) maths to divide into two equal parts

2. to cut or split into two

bisect

1. To cut or divide into two parts, especially two equal parts.

Other Word Forms

• bisection noun
• bisectional adjective
• bisectionally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of bisect¹

1640–50; bi- ¹ + -sect < Latin sectus, past participle of secāre to cut, sever; section

Word History and Origins

Origin of bisect¹

C17: _bi- ¹ + -sect from Latin secāre to cut

Example Sentences

Nájera said traffic is the primary threat to Southern California mountain lions, whose habitat has been fragmented and bisected by roads and highways.

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The library is meant to be noisy: It’s a lounge-like area with no walls or doors that is bisected by the hallway that traverses the building.

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By the time it reaches Corona, it splits into two segments — the Chino fault, which heads toward Chino Hills; and the Whittier fault, which is near or bisects the L.A.

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Soldiers also entered the Netzarim Corridor, which runs roughly four miles and bisects the enclave just south of Gaza City.

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The carvings depict bighorn sheep, bisected circles and at one site, a miner swinging a pickax.

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Related Words

• cut across