split

¹

[ split ]

verb (used with object)

, split, split·ting.

1. to divide or separate from end to end or into layers:

   to split a log in two.

2. to separate by cutting, chopping, etc., usually lengthwise:

   to split a piece from a block.

3. to tear or break apart; rend or burst:

   The wind split the sail.

4. to divide into distinct parts or portions (often followed by up ):

   We split up the frosting into separate bowls and made each one a different color.

5. to separate (a part) by such division.
6. to divide (persons) into different groups, factions, parties, etc., as by discord:

   to split a political party.

7. to separate (a group, family, etc.) by such division.
8. to cast (a ballot or vote) for candidates of more than one political party.
9. to divide between two or more persons, groups, etc.; share:

   We split a bottle of wine.

10. to separate into parts by interposing something:

    to split an infinitive.

11. Physics, Chemistry. to divide (molecules or atoms) by cleavage into smaller parts.
12. to issue additional shares of (stock) to existing stockholders without charging them, thereby dividing their interest into a larger number of shares and reducing the price per share.
13. Slang. to leave; depart from:

    Let's split this scene.

verb (used without object)

, split, split·ting.

1. to divide, break, or part lengthwise:

   The board split in half.

2. to part, divide, or separate in any way (often followed by up ):

   The group of children split up into two teams. We'll split up here and meet later.

3. to break asunder, as a ship by striking on a rock.
4. to become separated, as a piece or part from a whole.
5. to part or separate, as through disagreement; sever relations:

   They split up after a year of marriage. He split with the company after a policy dispute.

6. to divide or share something with another or others; apportion.
7. Slang. to leave; depart.

noun

1. the act of splitting.
2. a crack, tear, or fissure caused by splitting.
3. a piece or part separated by or as by splitting.
4. a breach or rupture, as between persons, in a party or organization, etc.
5. a faction, party, etc., formed by a rupture or schism.
6. a banana split.
7. alsocalledcomma especially British, nip. a bottle for wine or, sometimes, another beverage, containing from 6 to 6½ ounces (170 to 184 grams).
8. a bottle, as of soda, liquor, etc., which is half the usual size.
9. a strip split from an osier, used in basketmaking.
10. Masonry. a brick of normal length and breadth but of half normal thickness, used to give level support to a course of bricks laid over one not level.
11. Often splits. the feat of separating the legs while sinking to the floor, until they extend at right angles to the body, as in stage performances or gymnastics.
12. the amount of time it takes to complete a portion of a race, as a leg of a relay race, a lap of a track, half of a marathon, etc.:

    Our anchor faded over the last 50 meters of his split, and we missed the podium by six-tenths of a second.

13. Bowling. an arrangement of the pins remaining after the first bowl in two separated groups, so that a spare is difficult.
14. Philately. bisect ( def 5 ).
15. one of the layers of leather into which a skin is cut.
16. stock split ( def ).

adjective

1. having been split; parted lengthwise; cleft.
2. disunited; divided:

   a split opinion.

3. (of a stock quotation) given in sixteenths instead of eighths of a point.
4. (of a stock) having undergone a split.

Split

²

[ split ]

noun

1. a seaport in S Croatia, on the Adriatic: Roman ruins.

Split

¹

/ split /

noun

1. a port and resort in W Croatia on the Adriatic: remains of the palace of Diocletian (295–305). Pop: 188 000 (2005 est) Italian nameSpalato

split

²

/ splɪt /

verb

1. to break or cause to break, esp forcibly, by cleaving into separate pieces, often into two roughly equal pieces

   to split a brick

2. to separate or be separated from a whole

   he split a piece of wood from the block

3. to separate or be separated into factions, usually through discord
4. often foll by up to separate or cause to separate through a disagreement
5. whentr, often foll by up to divide or be divided among two or more persons

   split up the pie among the three of us

6. slang.
   to depart; leave

   let's split

   we split the scene

7. tr to separate (something) into its components by interposing something else

   to split a word with hyphens

8. slang.
   intrusually foll byon to betray the trust, plans, etc (of); inform

   he split on me to the cops

9. tr politics to mark (a ballot, etc) so as to vote for the candidates of more than one party

   he split the ticket

10. tr to separate (an animal hide or skin) into layers
11. split hairs
    split hairs to make a fine but needless distinction
12. split one's sides
    split one's sides to laugh very heartily
13. split the difference
    split the difference
    1. to settle a dispute by effecting a compromise in which both sides give way to the same extent
    2. to divide a remainder equally

noun

1. the act or process of splitting
2. a gap or rift caused or a piece removed by the process of splitting
3. a breach or schism in a group or the faction resulting from such a breach
4. a dessert of sliced fruit and ice cream, covered with whipped cream, nuts, etc

   banana split

5. See Devonshire split
   See Devonshire split
6. 1. a separated layer of an animal hide or skin other than the outer layer
   2. leather made from such a layer
7. tenpin bowling a formation of the pins after the first bowl in which there is a large gap between two pins or groups of pins
8. informal.
   an arrangement or process of dividing up loot or money

adjective

1. having been split; divided

   split logs

2. having a split or splits

   hair with split ends

Derived Forms

• ˈsplitter, noun

Other Words From

• split·ta·ble adjective
• pre·split adjective
• un·split adjective
• un·split·ta·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of split¹

First recorded in 1570–80; 1950–55 split fordef 13; from Dutch splitten; akin to splijten, German spleissen “to split”

Word History and Origins

Origin of split¹

C16: from Middle Dutch splitten to cleave; related to Middle High German splīzen; see splice

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. split hairs. hair ( def 11 ).
2. split the difference. difference ( def 13 ).

Example Sentences

The ERGO K860 splits the keyboard onto two sides of the same device so that each half of the keyboard is fully designed to maximize comfort in both of your hands and wrists.

From Popular-Science

The North American Development Bank, where both countries put money to invest in international projects, said fixes to both PB-1B and its sister, called PB-1A, would cost about $13 million and would be split 50-50.

From Voice of San Diego

The Gomes-Avila pairing should be far less than an even split.

From Washington Post

In a Senate with a 50-50 split, Collins’ vote may be key for Levine to obtain confirmation.

From Washington Blade

Party leaders are always split over whether to pick its statewide nominees in conventions, which tend to favor more conservative candidates, or primaries, which tend to produce more moderate figures.

From Washington Post

The conspirators were split into two teams, “Alpha” and “Bravo.”

From The Daily Beast

If you look at the history, you can really understand why the parties are so divided and why the public is so split.

From The Daily Beast

Before it was split between Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, Baluchistan spread over an area slightly larger than California.

From The Daily Beast

His section on why he and his wife split—he essentially chose soccer over her—would be risky if its candor were not so refreshing.

From The Daily Beast

Most critically, the split perspectives of Noah and Alison need to marry more elegantly.

From The Daily Beast

Under the one-sixth they appear as slender, highly refractive fibers with double contour and, often, curled or split ends.

From Project Gutenberg

The cantonment was split into two sections by an irregular ravine, or nullah, running east and west.

From Project Gutenberg

The atmosphere seemed drawn taut before him as though it must any instant split open upon a sound of crying.

From Project Gutenberg

The Griffin carried off one sheep a day from a German village, till a man came with a "falchion" and split the Griffin open.

From Project Gutenberg

The rein was fastened to a piece of split rattan drawn through the animal's nose.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• break
• disband
• divide
• isolate
• open
• rip
• rive
• separate
• sever
• splinter
• tear