Definition of divorce

< divisor

divorcé >

di·vorce    (d-vôrs, -vrs) KEY 

NOUN:

1. The legal dissolution of a marriage.
2. A complete or radical severance of closely connected things.

VERB:
di·vorced, di·vorc·ing, di·vorc·es
VERB:
tr.

1. To dissolve the marriage bond between.
2. To end marriage with (one's spouse) by way of legal divorce.
3. To cut off; separate or disunite: an idea that was completely divorced from reality. See Synonyms at separate.

VERB:
intr.

To obtain a divorce.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old French, from Latin dvortium, from dvortere, to divert, variant of dvertere ; see divert