divide family property; break apart
Meanings
2 senses · 7 examplesverb
to divide family property and live separately
Refers specifically to family members (like brothers) splitting shared property and establishing separate households. It marks an important family event.
After their parents passed away, the two brothers divided the family property.
After dividing the family property, they each built new houses.
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Grandfather left a will stipulating the method for dividing the family property.
verb
to break apart; for a whole to separate into parts
Used metaphorically for any unified entity (organization, object, concept) splitting into separate parts. Often implies a negative or dysfunctional separation.
Due to poor management, several departments in this company are about to break apart.
The sole and the upper have separated; these shoes can't be worn anymore.
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Their band eventually broke up due to creative differences.
This software has too many features, so the developers decided to split it into two separate programs.