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Entry 7 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Divorce

/dĭv-ôrs'/ · Di·vorce · IPA /dɪˈvɔɹs/
01 n. A legal dissolution of the marriage contract by a court or other body having competent authority. This is properly a divorce, and called, …
  1. 1.
    A legal dissolution of the marriage contract by a court or other body having competent authority. This is properly a divorce, and called, technically, divorce a vinculo matrimonii.(Law)
  2. 2.
    The decree or writing by which marriage is dissolved.
  3. 3.
    Separation; disunion of things closely united.
    “To make divorce of their incorporate league.” — Shak.
  4. 4.
    That which separates.[Obs.]
Phrases & compounds
Bill of divorce — See under Bill.
02 v. t. To dissolve the marriage contract of, either wholly or partially; to separate by divorce.
imp. & p. p. Divorced; p. pr. & vb. n. Divorcing
  1. 1.
    To dissolve the marriage contract of, either wholly or partially; to separate by divorce.
  2. 2.
    To separate or disunite; to sunder.
    “It [a word] was divorced from its old sense.” — Earle.
  3. 3.
    To make away; to put away.
    “Nothing but death Shall e'er divorce my dignities.” — Shak.