7. (Math.) The process of finding how many times one number or quantity is contained in another; the
reverse of multiplication; also, the rule by which the operation is performed.
8. (Logic) The separation of a genus into its constituent species.
9. (Mil.) (a) Two or more brigades under the command of a general officer. (b) Two companies of
infantry maneuvering as one subdivision of a battalion. (c) One of the larger districts into which a country
is divided for administering military affairs.
10. (Naut.) One of the groups into which a fleet is divided.
11. (Mus.) A course of notes so running into each other as to form one series or chain, to be sung in
one breath to one syllable.
12. (Rhet.) The distribution of a discourse into parts; a part so distinguished.
13. (Biol.) A grade or rank in classification; a portion of a tribe or of a class; or, in some recent authorities,
equivalent to a subkingdom.
Cell division (Biol.), a method of cell increase, in which new cells are formed by the division of the
parent cell. In this process, the cell nucleus undergoes peculiar differentiations and changes, as shown
in the figure (see also Karyokinesis). At the same time the protoplasm of the cell becomes gradually
constricted by a furrow transverse to the long axis of the nuclear spindle, followed, on the completion
of the division of the nucleus, by a separation of the cell contents into two masses, called the daughter
cells. — Long division (Math.), the process of division when the operations are mostly written down.
— Short division (Math.), the process of division when the operations are mentally performed and
only the results written down; — used principally when the divisor is not greater than ten or twelve.
Syn. — compartment; section; share; allotment; distribution; separation; partition; disjunction; disconnection; difference; variance; discord; disunion.
Divisional
(Di*vi"sion*al) a. That divides; pertaining to, making, or noting, a division; as, a divisional
line; a divisional general; a divisional surgeon of police.
Divisional planes (Geol.), planes of separation between rock masses. They include joints.
Divisionally
(Di*vi"sion*al*ly), adv. So as to be divisional.
Divisionary
(Di*vi"sion*a*ry) a. Divisional.
Divisionor
(Di*vi"sion*or) n. One who divides or makes division. [Obs.] Sheldon.
Divisive
(Di*vi"sive) a. [Cf. F. divisif.]
1. Indicating division or distribution. Mede.
2. Creating, or tending to create, division, separation, or difference.
It [culture] is after all a dainty and divisive quality, and can not reach to the depths of humanity.
J. C.
Shairp. — Di*vi"sive*ly, adv. — Di*vi"sive*ness, n. Carlyle.
Divisor
(Di*vi"sor) n. [L., fr. dividere. See Divide.] (Math.) The number by which the dividend is
divided.
Common divisor. (Math.) See under Common, a.
