balkanize

bal·kan·ize

verb, often capitalized \ˈbȯl-kə-ˌnīz\

bal·kan·izedbal·kan·iz·ing

Definition of BALKANIZE

transitive verb

1

: to break up (as a region or group) into smaller and often hostile units

2

: divide, compartmentalize <now pop culture has been balkanized; it is full of niches, with different groups watching and playing their own things — Richard Corliss>

— bal·kan·i·za·tion \ˌbȯl-kə-nə-ˈzā-shən\ noun often capitalized

Origin of BALKANIZE

Balkan Peninsula

First Known Use: 1919