split

—splittable, adj.

/split/, v., split, splitting, n., adj.

v.t.

1. to divide or separate from end to end or into layers: to split a log in two.

2. to separate by cutting, chopping, etc., usually lengthwise: to split a piece from a block.

3. to tear or break apart; rend or burst: The wind split the sail.

4. to divide into distinct parts or portions (often fol. by up): We split up our rations.

5. to separate (a part) by such division.

6. to divide (persons) into different groups, factions, parties, etc., as by discord: to split a political party.

7. to separate (a group, family, etc.) by such division.

8. to cast (a ballot or vote) for candidates of more than one political party.

9. to divide between two or more persons, groups, etc.; share: We split a bottle of wine.

10. to separate into parts by interposing something: to split an infinitive.

11. Physics, Chem. to divide (molecules or atoms) by cleavage into smaller parts.

12. to issue additional shares of (stock) without charge to existing stockholders, thereby dividing their interest into a larger number of shares and reducing the price per share.

13. Slang. leave; depart from: Let's split this scene.

v.i.

14. to divide, break, or part lengthwise: The board split in half.

15. to part, divide, or separate in any way (often fol. by up): The group of children split up into two teams. We'll split up here and meet later.

16. to break asunder, as a ship by striking on a rock.

17. to become separated, as a piece or part from a whole.

18. to part or separate, as through disagreement; sever relations: They split up after a year of marriage. He split with the company after a policy dispute.

19. to divide or share something with another or others; apportion.

20. Slang. to leave; depart.

21. split hairs. See hair (def. 11).

22. split the difference. See difference (def. 11).

n.

23. the act of splitting.

24. a crack, tear, or fissure caused by splitting.

25. a piece or part separated by or as by splitting.

26. a breach or rupture, as between persons, in a party or organization, etc.

27. a faction, party, etc., formed by a rupture or schism.

28. an ice-cream dish made from sliced fruit, usually a banana, and ice cream, and covered with syrup and nuts.

29. Also called, esp. Brit., nip. a bottle for wine or, sometimes, another beverage, containing from 6 to 6½ oz. (170 to 184 g).

30. a bottle, as of soda, liquor, etc., which is half the usual size.

31. a strip split from an osier, used in basketmaking.

32. Masonry. a brick of normal length and breadth but of half normal thickness, used to give level support to a course of bricks laid over one not level.

33. Often, splits. the feat of separating the legs while sinking to the floor, until they extend at right angles to the body, as in stage performances or gymnastics.

34. Bowling. an arrangement of the pins remaining after the first bowl in two separated groups, so that a spare is difficult.

35. Philately. bisect (def. 5).

36. one of the layers of leather into which a skin is cut.

37. the act of splitting a stock.

adj.

38. that has undergone splitting; parted lengthwise; cleft.

39. disunited; divided: a split opinion.

40. (of a stock quotation) given in sixteenths instead of eighths of a point.

41. (of a stock) having undergone a split.

[1570-80; 1950-55 for def. 13; < D splitten; akin to splijten, G spleissen to split]

* * *

ancient Spalatum

Seaport (pop., 2001: 188,694), Dalmatia, Croatia.

The Romans established the colony of Salonae nearby in 78 BC, and the emperor Diocletian lived at Split until his death in AD 313. After the Avars sacked the town in 615, the inhabitants built a new town within Diocletian's 7-acre (3-hectare) palace compound; this "old town" has been continuously inhabited since that time. Split came under Byzantine rule in the 9th century, shifted to Venetian control in 1420, and was held by Austria in the 18th and 19th centuries. It came under Yugoslavian rule in 1918, finally becoming part of independent Croatia in 1992. The port facilities were destroyed in World War II, but the old city was little-damaged, and repairs were subsequently made. Split is a commercial, educational, and tourist centre. Collectively with the historic royal residences, fortifications, and churches in the city, the palace was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.

* * *

▪ Croatia

ItalianSpalato,

 

seaport, resort, and chief city of Dalmatia, Croatia. It is situated on a peninsula in the Adriatic Sea with a deep, sheltered harbour on the south side. A major commercial and transportation centre, the city is best known for the ruins of the Palace of Diocletian (Diocletian, Palace of) (built AD 295–305). Collectively with the historic royal residences, fortifications, and churches in the city, the palace was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.

      Built within the palace is the nucleus of the “old town.” The immense complex has walls 7 feet (2 metres) thick and 72 feet (22 metres) high on its seaward side and 60 feet (18 metres) high on the northern side. Originally it had 16 towers (of which 3 remain) and 4 gates. A tree-lined promenade now keeps the Adriatic from lapping against the south walls as it once did. The palace was damaged by the Avars (Avar), who sacked nearby Solin (Salona) about 614; its inhabitants first fled to the islands but then returned to seek refuge in the palace (c. 620), calling the settlement Spalatum. They built their homes within the seven-acre (three-hectare) palace compound, incorporating its walls and pillars.

 The area within the walls of the palace has been continuously inhabited since it was built. It contains buildings and embellishments of medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods, as well as fine examples of Roman architecture. Efforts have been made not only to excavate further the Roman remains and identify and elucidate remains of the early medieval period but also to preserve the eclectic architecture of the complex. The palace is still thought of by the inhabitants of Split as the city centre and not a museum: The cathedral and baptistery are in use, the peristyle court is a popular meeting place, shops occupy the Roman arcades, and the main market is just outside the east gate of the palace. Tourists can see architectural remains of all periods from Roman times onward while walking under the laundry lines of the modern citizens.

      Split has a university (1974) and an oceanographic institute. Museums include the Meštrović Gallery (opened 1952), devoted to the works of the Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović (Meštrović, Ivan); the Archaeological Museum (founded 1820), housing artifacts from the ruins of Solin and other nearby sites; the Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments (1893, in Knin), which has notable exhibits on the Early Middle Ages; the City Museum (1946); the Art Gallery (1931); and the Ethnographic Museum (1910), which is housed in the Venetian Gothic town hall. The Croatian National Theatre, built from 1891 to 1893, was gutted by fire in 1971 but reconstructed by 1979. The belfry (c. 1100) of Our Lady of the Belfry church is the oldest in Dalmatia.

      The city's harbour and port, combined with its central position on the Adriatic coast and its good rail and road connections to the northern parts of the country, have made it very important commercially. There is a large shipyard, and plastics, chemicals, aluminum, and cement are produced. Several island ferries depart from Split, and an international airport has been expanded since 1962. The growth of the port facilities dates from the temporary loss of Rijeka (Fiume) (Rijeka) to Italy in 1924 (recovered 1945).

      From 812 Split developed as a major Byzantine city. In 1105, after brief incursions by Venice (998) and Croatia (1069), the city acknowledged the nominal suzerainty of Hungary-Croatia and fought sporadically with its rival Trogir; from 1420 to 1797 it was held by Venice. The Austrians ruled from 1797 to 1918 with a brief French interregnum in 1808–13. Split became part of Yugoslavia in 1918 and of independent Croatia in 1992. During World War II the port facilities were wrecked by the Germans and by Allied bombing, but the old town was little damaged, and repairs were subsequently made. In 1995 the city celebrated the 1,700th anniversary of the initiation of construction of the Roman palace. Pop. (2001) 188,694.

* * *