verb 1. to (cause to) divide into two or more parts, esp. along a particular line
The prize was split between Susan and Kate. [T]
Split the aubergines in half and cover with breadcrumbs. [T]
The teacher split the children (up) into three groups. [T]
I suggest we split the profits six ways/split the profits between the six of us. [T]
I'll split (=share) this croissant with you. [T] [INFORMAL]
Was it a good day for mankind when scientists discovered how to split the atom (=break up atoms into
their separate parts, so as to release energy)? [T]
The woman had split her head open (=got a long deep wound in her head) when she was thrown off the horse. [T + obj + adj]
The wooden floor had cracked and split (=formed cracks) in the heat. [I]
His trousers split when he tried to jump the fence. [I]
2. If an organization or group splits or is split, some members disagree with the other members about
something.
The childcare issue has split the employers' group. [T]
The union executive has split down the middle (=into two equal-sized groups who disagree with each
other) on what to do next. [I]
A group of extremists split (off) from the Labour Party to form a new "Workers' Communist Party". [I]
3. [dated informal] To split is also to leave a place.
Let's split - but we'll meet you again at lunchtime tomorrow, okay?
4. (disapproving) If you split hairs, you argue about the correctness of unimportant details.
The European governments are worried about the exact figures agreed for grain imports - but they are
just splitting hairs, to avoid signing the agreement.
5. If you split your sides, you laugh a lot at something.
We nearly split our sides laughing/with laughter watching Paul trying to get the dog to go in the
bicycle basket.
6. If you split the difference you agree on a number or amount that is exactly in the middle of the
difference between two other numbers or amounts.
The official price is £5000 and the black-market price would be over £15 000, so let's split the
difference and call it £10 000.
My parents split up (=ended their marriage) when I was six.
I hear she's split up (=ended her relationship) with her boyfriend.
7. A split end is a hair that has divided into several parts at its end.
Dry, brittle hair and split ends were the unfortunate consequence of years of dyeing it peroxide blond.
8. (specialized) A split infinitive is a phrase in which an adverb or other word is put between "to" and an
infinitive. Some people consider split infinitives to be bad grammar, but they are becoming more
acceptable.
'To quickly decide' is an example of a split infinitive.
9. A split-level building or room has floors at different heights.
My parents have a split-level house - the living room is a few steps up from the kitchen, and a few steps
down from the bedrooms.
10. a dried pea that has been separated into its two halves, which is used esp. in soups.
11. A split pin is a thin metal rod divided into two parts which open out in order to fasten parts of a
machine or to stop them becoming loose.
12. Someone with a split personality behaves so differently at different times that they seem to have
more than one character.
13. A split second is a very short moment of time.
They brought out guns and for a split second nobody moved.
When the incoming missile is detected the computer starts to make split-second (=very quick)
decisions about its course and when to intercept it.
14. A split-up between two people is when they end their relationship.
split
noun [C] Rain was getting in through a split (=crack) in the plastic sheeting.
There is a widening split (=division) between senior managers and the rest of the workforce.
The tax issue has caused a split (=division into groups who disagree with each other) in/within the
government.
There was a 55%, 25%, 20% split in the voting.
There was a three-way split in the voting.
* A split is Am for the splits
Carly did a split.
splits British, American split
plural noun 1. The splits is the action of sitting on the floor with your legs straight out and flat along the floor in
opposite directions.
Can you do the splits?
splitting
adjective [not
gradable] 1. A splitting headache is a very severe pain that you feel in your head.
Hilary arrived home from work with a splitting headache.