Main Entry:

div·i·dend

Pronunciation:

\ˈdi-və-ˌdend, -dənd\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English divident, from Latin dividendus, gerundive of dividere

Date:

15th century

1: an individual share of something distributed: as a: a share in a pro rata distribution (as of profits) to stockholders b: a share of surplus allocated to a policyholder in a participating insurance policy 2 a: a resultant return or reward <our efforts are finally paying dividends> b: bonus3 a: a number to be divided b: a sum or fund to be divided and distributed

— div·i·dend·less \-ləs\ adjective