Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Distributed in portions (often equal) on the basis of a plan or purpose: Describes something that has been separated or apportioned into shares, parts, or sections, typically according to a specific scheme or intention.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The inheritance was divided up equally among the three siblings. (The total inheritance was distributed in equal portions to each sibling.)
  • After the meeting, the tasks were divided up according to each team member's expertise. (The work was apportioned into specific parts based on individual skills.)
  • The large pizza was divided up into eight slices for the party. (The whole pizza was separated into eight equal portions.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be divided up": This is the standard adjectival form, often used after a form of the verb "to be" (is, was, were, etc.) to describe the state of something after distribution.
  • The profits were divided up after a long discussion. (The profits reached a state of being apportioned following discussions.)
• Used to imply a deliberate, organized action of allocation, not a random split.

Variants and Related Words

• Divide (verb): To separate or be separated into parts.
  • They will divide the land.
• Division (noun): The act or process of dividing; a section or part.
  • The division of assets was fair.
• Divided (adjective): Separated into parts or groups; can also mean disunited.
  • A divided highway. (This is a different, common compound usage meaning a road with a central barrier.)

Synonyms

• Apportioned: Distributed or allocated.
• Allocated: Assigned or set aside for a particular purpose.
• Distributed: Given out or spread over an area.
• Shared: Used, held, or enjoyed jointly with others.

Related Phrases

• Divide up (phrasal verb): The verbal action from which the adjective "divided up" is derived. It means to separate something into smaller parts or portions.
  • We need to divide up the remaining supplies. (We need to separate the supplies into portions.)
• Split up: Often used similarly to mean dividing into parts, especially groups or shares.
  • They agreed to split up the earnings.

Related Idioms

• Divide and conquer/rule: A strategy of gaining and maintaining power by breaking up larger concentrations of power into smaller, less powerful pieces. (Note: This idiom uses the base verb "divide," not the adjective "divided up.")
  • The manager used a divide and rule tactic to maintain control.

Adjective

1. distributed in portions (often equal) on the basis of a plan or purpose