Part 455

J. C. Shairp.

-- Di*vi"sive*ly, adv. -- Di*vi"sive*ness, n. Carlyle.

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.

Di*vorce" (?), n. [F. divorce, L. divortium, fr. divortere, divertere, to turn different ways, to separate. See Divert.] 1. (Law) (a) A legal dissolution of the marriage contract by a court or other body having competent authority. This is properly a divorce, and called, technically, divorce a vinculo matrimonii. "from the bond of matrimony." (b) The separation of a married woman from the bed and board of her husband -- divorce a mensa et toro (or thoro), "from bed and board."

2. The decree or writing by which marriage is dissolved.

3. Separation; disunion of things closely united.

To make divorce of their incorporate league.

Shak.

4. That which separates. [Obs.] Shak.

Bill of divorce. See under Bill.

Di*vorce", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Divorced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Divorcing.] [Cf. F. divorcer. See Divorce, n.] 1. To dissolve the marriage contract of, either wholly or partially; to separate by divorce.

2. To separate or disunite; to sunder.

It [a word] was divorced from its old sense.

Earle.

3. To make away; to put away.

Nothing but death Shall e'er divorce my dignities.

Shak.

Di*vorce"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being divorced.

Di*vor`cee" (?), n. A person divorced.

Di*vorce"less (?), a. Incapable of being divorced or separated; free from divorce.

Di*vorce"ment (?), n. Dissolution of the marriage tie; divorce; separation.

Let him write her a divorcement.

Deut. xxiv. 1.

The divorcement of our written from our spoken language.

R. Morris.

Di*vor"cer, n. The person or cause that produces or effects a divorce. Drummond.

Di*vor"ci*ble (?), a. Divorceable. Milton.