divider

UK: dɪˈvaɪdə | US: dɪˈvaɪdər

Definition

  1. n. an object or person that divides or separates things

  2. n. (mathematics) a number that divides another without a remainder

  3. n. a partition or screen used to separate spaces

Structure
divide <to separate>er <agent noun suffix>
Etymology

The word "divider" originates from the Latin dividere ("to separate"), which passed into Middle English via Old French divider. The suffix "-er" is an English agentive suffix, indicating "one who or that which performs an action." Thus, a "divider" literally means "something that divides." The term has retained its core meaning across contexts, from physical partitions to mathematical functions.

Examples

  1. She placed a room divider to create separate workspaces.

  2. In arithmetic, 3 is a divider of 9.

  3. The river acts as a natural divider between the two countries.

  4. The teacher used a divider to split the class into smaller groups.

  5. A bookshelf can serve as a stylish room divider.