split

/ˈsplit/

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

verb

  1. to divide lengthwise usually along a grain or seam or by layers

  2. to affect as if by cleaving or forcing apart

  3. to tear or rend apart : burst

the river splits the town in two

tear rip rend split cleave rive mean to separate forcibly. tear implies pulling apart by force and leaving jagged edges. rip implies a pulling apart in one rapid uninterrupted motion often along a line or joint.

adjective

  1. divided, fractured

  2. prepared for use by splitting

  3. heterozygous —used especially by breeders of cage birds sometimes with for

noun

  1. a narrow break made by or as if by splitting

  2. an arrangement of bowling pins left standing with space for pins between them

  3. a piece split off or made thin by splitting