division

noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French devision, from Latin division-, divisio, from dividere to divide Date: 14th century 1. a. the act or process of dividing ; the state of being divided b. the act, process, or an instance of distributing among a number ; distribution c. obsolete a method of arranging or disposing (as troops) 2. one of the parts or groupings into which a whole is divided or is divisible 3. the condition or an instance of being divided in opinion or interest ; disagreement, disunity <

exploited the divisions between the two countries

> 4. a. something that divides, separates, or marks off b. the act, process, or an instance of separating or keeping apart ; separation 5. the mathematical operation of dividing something 6. a. a self-contained major military unit capable of independent action b. a tactical military unit composed of headquarters and usually three to five brigades c. (1) the basic naval administrative unit (2) a tactical subdivision of a squadron of ships d. a unit of the United States Air Force higher than a wing and lower than an air force 7. a. a portion of a territorial unit marked off for a particular purpose (as administrative or judicial functions) b. an administrative or operating unit of a governmental, business, or educational organization 8. the physical separation into different lobbies of the members of a parliamentary body voting for and against a question 9. plant propagation by dividing parts and planting segments capable of producing roots and shoots 10. a group of organisms forming part of a larger group; specifically a primary category of the plant kingdom in biological taxonomy that is typically equivalent to a phylum 11. a competitive class or category (as in boxing or wrestling) Synonyms: see part • divisional adjective