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subdivide

[suhb-di-vahyd, suhb-di-vahyd]
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verb (used with object), sub·di·vid·ed, sub·di·vid·ing.
  1. to divide (that which has already been divided) into smaller parts; divide again after a first division.
  2. to divide into parts.
  3. to divide (a plot, tract of land, etc.) into building lots.
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verb (used without object), sub·di·vid·ed, sub·di·vid·ing.
  1. to become separated into divisions.
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Origin of subdivide

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Late Latin word subdīvīdere. See sub-, divide
Related formssub·di·vid·a·ble, adjectivesub·di·vid·er, nounun·sub·di·vid·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for subdivide

Historical Examples

  • The business proposed was to buy a tract of land, and subdivide it.

    Within the Law

    Marvin Dana

  • But if, as an exception, it should be very slow, the conductor ought to subdivide it.

  • (b) Subdivide the rectangle into its horizontal and vertical subdivisions.

    Industrial Arts Design

    William H. Varnum

  • (b) Subdivide the rectangle into vertical and horizontal divisions.

    Industrial Arts Design

    William H. Varnum

  • Modern naturalists, following Cuvier, subdivide them into three orders:—1.

    The Ocean World:

    Louis Figuier

British Dictionary definitions for subdivide

subdivide

verb
  1. to divide (something) resulting from an earlier division
  2. (tr) US and Canadian to divide (land) into lots for sale
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Derived Formssubdivider, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for subdivide

v.

early 15c., from Late Latin subdividere from sub in the sense of "resulting from further division" (see sub-) + Latin dividere (see division).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper