divis1ble

& s. [Lat. divisibilis, from di vis us, pa. par. of divi do.] A. Asadj .: Capable of being divided or separated into parts; separable. "When we frame in our minds any notion of matter, we conceive nothing else but extension and bulk, which is impenetrable, or divisible and pa ive." - Bentley : Sermons . the Quotient. The act or proce of dividing any number into a given number of parts. 3. Logic : The separation or dividing of a genus into its constituent species. 4. Music : An elaborate variation for voices or instruments upon a single theme; a course of notes so connected that they form one series. Divisions for the voice are intended to be sung in one breath to one syllable. The performance of this style of music is called running a division. ( Stainer & Bar rett.) "Our tongue will run divisions in a tune, not mi ing a note, even when our thoughts are totally engaged else where."- Glanvill . (1) A separation, disuniting, or disunion of things "To make divorce of their incorporate league." Shakesp.: Henry V., v. 2. IMG:content-0287.png:[blocks in formation] IMG:content-0288.png:[blocks in formation] 2. History: divorce (1) Among the cla ic nations of antiquity: The Spartans rarely divorced their wives; the A then i ans and other Greeks did so often for trivial causes. It has been stated that divorce scarcely if at all existed during the early period of Roman history; in the later period of the republic, and yet more under the empire, it was extensively practiced, the power of divorce, and that for trivial causes, being vested in the wife as well as the husband. (2) Among the Jews: The enactment of the Mosaic law was the following: "When a man hath taken a wife, and it come to pa that she find no favor in his eyes because he hath found some uncleanne in her, then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of the house" (Deut. xxiv. 1). Here, it will be perceived, impurity is the only a igned cause for such divorce. The woman sent away might marry another man, but if he, too, divorced her, it was not permitted her first husband to take her again. The word "uncleanne " in the pa age now quoted is a free translation: the Hebrew words mean literally "the nakedne of a thing." The exact import of this expre ion was sharply contested in the immediately pre-Christian times, the school of Hillel giving it a general meaning, and holding that a man might divorce his wife for the most trivial cause; while that of Shammai considered that the doubtful phrase signified adultery, for which therefore alone a man could put away his wife. (3) Among the Christian nations the Our Lord, replying a question put to Him by Pharisees, laid down the principle, whoever put away his wife for any cause except fornication (which we should now call adultery) and should marry another, committed adultery, as did any man who married the divorced wife (Matt. xix. 3-9). Wherever Christianity prevailed this tended to become the law, and when, in A. D. 1215, Pope Innocent III. elevated marriage to the dignity of a sacrament, the ecclesiastical courts claimed that it fell solely under their jurisdiction. They, as a rule, carried out the law of Christ, but in exceptional cases granted dispensa tions at a handsome pecuniary price for the di olution of marriage. (4) Among the Mohammedans: By the laws of the Koran, a Mu ulman may di olve the marriage union by saying to his wife three times, "Thou art divorced." (5) Among the modern Ethnic nations: Among the Hindoos, the Chinese, ., divorce may be practiced for the most trifling causes. di-vör çe, v. t. & i. [DIVORCE, 8.] A. Transitive: I. Ordinary Language: 1489 2. Fig .: One who or that which causes or produces separation or disunion. "Death is the violent estranger of acquaintance, the eternal divorcer of marriage." -Drummond: Cypre Grove. II. Hist .: One of a sect who supported the granting of divorces from le er grounds than adultery; e.g., for incompatibility of temper or disposition. *di-vörç-i-ble, a . [DIVORCEABLE.] di-vörç'-Ing, pr. par., a. & 8. [DIVORCE, v.] A. & B. As pr. par. & particip. adj.: (See the verb.) C. As subst.: The act of di olving the marriage contract; a divorce, a di olution of marriage. di-vörç-Ive, a. [Eng. divorc ( e ); -ive .] 1. Having power to produce or cause divorce. "All the divorcive engines in heaven and earth" -Mil . ton: Doctrine of Divorce, bk. i., ch. viii. 2. Affording reason or grounds for divorce; deserving of divorce. "Divorcive adultery is not limited by our Saviour to the utmost act."--Milton: Doctrine of Divorce , bk. ii., ch. xviii. 3. Pertaining or relating to divorce. "To that a little patience; until this first part have amply discoursed the grave and pious reasons of this divorcive law." - Milton : Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce. div-ot, s . [DIVET.] A thin sod for thatching. (Scotch.) "With the right of net and coble in the water of loch dizzine di-vŭlg'-ing, pr. par., a. & 8. [DIVULGE.] A. & B. As pr. par . & particip . adj .: (See the verb.) C. As subst.: The act of publishing or making known things previously unknown or secret; revealing, disclosing. "There is no such licentious divulging of these books." -State Trials : Hampton Court Conference (1604).