| 释义 |
▪ I. subdiˈvide, n.
[f. sub- 5 b + divide n. 2.]
A subordinate division between rivers and their branches.
1902W. M. Davis Elem. Phys. Geogr. 243 When a plain or plateau..is well dissected numerous..subdivides are developed between the smaller rivers and their branches.
▪ II. subdivide, v.|sʌbdɪˈvaɪd|
[ad. late L. subdīvidĕre: see sub- 9 and divide v. Cf. It. suddividere, Sp., Pg. subdividir; also F. subdiviser.]
1. trans. To divide (a part of a divided whole); to divide again after a first division. (Sometimes used loosely for divide.) freq. in passive.
a. in material sense.
1432–50tr. Higden (Rolls) VI. 361 This kynge divided alle his proventes into ij. partes, oon parte whereof he subdivided ageyne into thre partes. 1483Caxton Cato 3 The second partye which is in uerse is subdyuyded in to foure partyes. 1626Bacon Sylva §104 If you diuide the Tones equally, the Eight is but Seuen whole and equall Notes; And if you Subdiuide that into Halfe Notes, (as it is in the Stops of a Lute), it maketh the Number of thirteene. 1646Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. 184 Below the cubit it divideth into two parts,..is at the fingers subdivided into three branches. 1758J. Dalrymple Ess. Feudal Property (ed. 2) 11 The Folkland was divided and subdivided into Counties, Try⁓things,..and Hundreds. 1764Harmer Observ. ii. §12. 68 Speaking of the tents of the Arabs, the Journal says, They are subdivided into three apartments. 1823Lingard Hist. Eng. VI. 32 The army formed in two grand divisions, each of which was subdivided into a battle and two wings. 1870Sat. Rev. 2 Apr., That all tenants should be allowed to subdivide their holdings amongst their relatives. 1870F. R. Wilson Ch. Lindisf. 23 They sub-divided their parish into five chapelries.
b. in immaterial sense.
a1586Sidney Apol. Poetry (Arb.) 28 These [sc. poets] be subdiuided into sundry more speciall denominations. The most notable bee the Heroick, Lirick [etc.]. 1641Termes de la Ley 77 Some had that charge as incident to their offices..: some others had it simply as of it selfe... And both these sorts are againe subdivided by M. Lambert. c1645Howell Lett. (1650) I. 97 They were the first that subdivided the four cardinal winds to thirty two. a1768Sterne Serm. Yorick (1773) IV. 151 Mankind led to dispose of these attributes inherent in the Godhead, and divide and subdivide them again amongst deities. 1813J. Thomson Lect. Inflam. 502 Attempts have..been made to subdivide the phenomena of mortification. 1868Rogers Pol. Econ. ii. (1876) 16 The use of machinery tends still further to subdivide labour. 1887Bentley Man. Bot. (ed. 5) 405 The Classes are also divided into Sub-classes, Series, Cohorts, or Alliances..in the same manner as the orders, genera, and species are subdivided.
c. refl.
1709Royal Proclam. 27 Jan., The Commissioners..shall subdivide themselves,..so as three, at least, may be appointed for the Service of each Division. 1791Paine Rights of Man (ed. 4) 21 The original hereditary despotism resident in the person of the King, divides and subdivides itself into a thousand shapes and forms.
d. absol.
1880[see subdivider].
2. intr. To break up into subdivisions.
1597–8Bacon Ess., Faction (Arb.) 78 When one of the Factions is extinguished, the remaining subdiuideth. 1682Bunyan Holy War (1905) 293 They marched, they counter⁓marched, they opened to the right and left, they divided, and subdivided. 1769Phil. Trans. LIX. 200 From this part upwards those vessels divide and sub-divide. 1831R. Knox Cloquet's Anat. 33 These laminæ subdivide into radiated fibrils. 1871Tyndall Fragm. Sci. (1879) II. 243 Every string sub-divides, yielding not one note, but a dozen.
†b. Used loosely of two persons forming separate factions. Obs. nonce-use.
1625Bacon Ess., Faction (Arb.) 80 When Brutus and Cassius were ouerthrowne, then soone after Antonius and Octauianus brake and Subdiuided.
Hence subdiˈvided ppl. a.
a1676Hale P. Atticus iii. (1677) 98 One of the subdivided party, that finds it self weakest. 1777S. Robson Brit. Flora 154 Stem subdivided. 1796Withering Brit. Plants (ed. 3) II. 141 Panicles with subdivided branches. 1845Encycl. Metrop. IV. 785 The first semi-oscillation will be performed as a whole, the next as a subdivided string. 1855Orr's Circ. Sci., Inorg. Nat. 98 The middle oolite is almost as varied and subdivided as the lower. |