division

n.
1 the act or an instance of dividing; the process of being divided.
2 Math. the process of dividing one number by another (see also long division (see LONG(1)), short division).
3 disagreement or discord (division of opinion).
4 Parl. the separation of members of a legislative body into two sets for counting votes for and against.
5 one of two or more parts into which a thing is divided.
6 a major unit of administration or organization, esp.: a a group of army brigades or regiments. b Sport a grouping of teams within a league, usu. by ability.
7 a a district defined for administrative purposes. b Brit. a part of a county or borough returning a Member of Parliament.
8 a Bot. a major taxonomic grouping. b Zool. a subsidiary category between major levels of classification.
9 Logic a classification of kinds, parts, or senses.
Phrases and idioms:
division of labour the improvement of efficiency by giving different parts of a manufacturing process etc. to different people. division sign the sign (*!) indicating that one quantity is to be divided by another.
Derivatives:
divisional adj. divisionally adv. divisionary adj.
Etymology: ME f. OF divisiun f. L divisio -onis (as DIVIDE)