split
UK: /splɪt/ | US: /splɪt/
v. to divide or separate into parts, often forcefully
v. to break or cause to break into fragments
n. a crack or division caused by splitting
adj. divided or separated
The word "split" originates from Middle Dutch splitten, meaning "to cleave or break apart." It entered English in the 16th century, retaining its core meaning of division or separation. The simplicity of the word reflects its Germanic roots, where short, forceful verbs often describe physical actions. Unlike many Latin-derived terms, "split" has no prefix or suffix—it is a monomorphic verb, emphasizing its direct and vivid imagery of breaking apart.
She used an axe to split the log in half.
The political party split over disagreements on policy.
There’s a small split in the seam of his jacket.
The twins decided to split the prize money equally.
The earthquake caused the ground to split open.