divorce

[ dih-vawrs, -vohrs ]
/ dɪˈvɔrs, -ˈvoʊrs /

noun

a judicial declaration dissolving a marriage in whole or in part, especially one that releases the marriage partners from all matrimonial obligations. Compare judicial separation.
any formal separation of husband and wife according to established custom.
total separation; disunion: a divorce between thought and action.

verb (used with object), di·vorced, di·vorc·ing.

verb (used without object), di·vorced, di·vorc·ing.

to get a divorce.

Origin of divorce

1350–1400; Middle English < Anglo-French < Latin dīvortium separation, equivalent to dīvort(ere), variant of dīvertere to divert + -ium -ium

OTHER WORDS FROM divorce

Definition for divorce (2 of 2)

divorcé
[ dih-vawr-sey, -vohr-, -vawr-sey, -vohr- ]
/ dɪ vɔrˈseɪ, -voʊr-, -ˈvɔr seɪ, -ˈvoʊr- /

noun

a divorced man.

Origin of divorcé

1805–15; < French, noun use of masculine past participle of divorcer < Medieval Latin dīvortiāre to divorce, derivative of Latin dīvortium divorce

Example sentences from the Web for divorce

British Dictionary definitions for divorce (1 of 2)

divorce
/ (dɪˈvɔːs) /

noun

the dissolution of a marriage by judgment of a court or by accepted custom
a judicial decree declaring a marriage to be dissolved
a separation, esp one that is total or complete

verb

to separate or be separated by divorce; give or obtain a divorce (to a couple or from one's spouse)
(tr) to remove or separate, esp completely

Derived forms of divorce

divorceable, adjective divorcer, noun divorcive, adjective

Word Origin for divorce

C14: from Old French, from Latin dīvortium from dīvertere to separate; see divert

British Dictionary definitions for divorce (2 of 2)

divorcé
/ (dɪˈvɔːseɪ) /

noun

a man who has been divorced