split

¹split

verb \ˈsplit\

splitsplit·ting

Definition of SPLIT

transitive verb

1

a : to divide lengthwise usually along a grain or seam or by layers b : to affect as if by cleaving or forcing apart <the river splits the town in two>

2

a (1) : to tear or rend apart : burst (2) : to subject (an atom or atomic nucleus) to artificial disintegration by fission b : to affect as if by breaking up or tearing apart : shatter <a roar that split the air>

3

: to divide into parts or portions: as a : to divide between persons : share b : to divide into factions, parties, or groups c : to mark (a ballot) or cast or register (a vote) so as to vote for candidates of different parties d (1) : to divide or break down (a chemical compound) into constituents <split a fat into glycerol and fatty acids> (2) : to remove by such separation <split off carbon dioxide> e : to divide (stock) by issuing a larger number of shares to existing shareholders usually without increase in total par value

4

: to separate (the parts of a whole) by interposing something <split an infinitive>

5

: leave <split the party> <split town>

intransitive verb

1

a : to become split lengthwise or into layers b : to break apart : burst

2

a : to become divided up or separated off <split into factions> <split from the group> b : to sever relations or connections : separate c : leave; especially : to leave without delay <split for the coast>

3

British : to betray confidence : act as an informer —usually used with on

4

: to apportion shares

— split hairs

: to make oversubtle or trivial distinctions

— split one's sides

: to laugh heartily

— split the difference

: to arrive at a compromise

Examples of SPLIT

1. The board split in two.
2. The hull of the ship split apart on the rocks.
3. A large chunk of ice split off from the iceberg and crashed into the water.
4. She split the muffin and gave me half.
5. The class split into several small groups.
6. Two of the band members split off to form their own band.
7. The teacher split the class into groups.
8. The river splits the town in two.
9. The party is split over the issue of taxes.
10. The church split into moderate and conservative factions.

Origin of SPLIT

Dutch splitten, from Middle Dutch; akin to Middle High German splīzen to split and probably to Old High German spaltan to split

First Known Use: 1567

Related to SPLIT

Synonyms: break up, decouple, disassociate, disconnect, disjoin, disjoint, dissever, dissociate, disunite, divide, divorce, part, ramify, resolve, sever, separate, sunder, uncouple, unlink, unyoke

Antonyms: join, link, unify, unite

Related Words: break down, decompose, disassemble, disintegrate, dissolve; bifurcate, bisect, cleave, dichotomize, dissect, fractionalize, fractionate, halve, partition, quarter, segment, subdivide, trisect; fragment, fragmentate, fragmentize; break, fracture, pull, rend, rift, rip, rive, rupture, tear; cut off, insulate, isolate, seclude, segregate, sequester; detach, disengage, disentangle, unravel, untie

Near Antonyms: assemble, associate, blend, combine, mingle, mix; connect, couple; accumulate, agglutinate, attach, bind, cement, close, fasten, fuse, knit, stick, weld

[+]more[-]hide

See Synonym Discussion at tear

Rhymes with SPLIT

bit, bitt, brit, Brit, chit, dit, fit, flit, frit, git, grit, hit, it, kit, knit, lit, mitt, nit, pit, quit, sit, skit, slit, snit, spit, Split, sprit, teat, tit, twit, whit, wit, writ, zit