divorce
divorce
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for divorce is /dɪˈvɔːrs/.
Syllable Breakdown
di- (/dɪ/): Consists of the voiced alveolar plosive /d/ followed by the short near-close front unrounded vowel /ɪ/.
-vorce (/ˈvɔːrs/): Consists of the voiced labiodental fricative /v/, the long open-mid back rounded vowel /ɔː/, and the voiceless alveolar sibilant /s/ (with an optional postalveolar approximant /r/ depending on the dialect).
Word Form Variations
Noun: divorce (singular), divorces (plural)
Verb: divorce (base), divorces (third-person singular), divorced (past/past participle), divorcing (present participle)
Adjective: divorced, divorcial (rare)
Agent Noun: divorcee (one who is divorced)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition: The legal dissolution of a marriage by a court or other competent body, or a complete separation between two things that were once closely connected.
Synonyms: Dissolution, annulment, severance, split, breach.
Antonyms: Marriage, union, wedding, connection, merger.
Verb
Definition: To legally terminate a marriage with a spouse, or to separate/detach something from something else to which it is related.
Synonyms: Disconnect, detach, decouple, sunder, unmarry.
Antonyms: Marry, unite, join, combine, link.
Adjective
Definition: Relating to a person who has legally ended their marriage, or used to describe two concepts that are entirely disconnected from one another.
Synonyms: Disengaged, separated, isolated, split, independent.
Antonyms: Wedded, attached, integrated, joined, coupled.
Examples of Use
Here are several real-world examples of the word divorce used in various contexts:
Books and Literature
"The divorce between the history of the world and the history of the soul is the most tragic event in the life of modern man." (Milan Kundera, The Unbearable Lightness of Being)
"The court granted the divorce on the grounds of irreconcilable differences, effectively ending a twenty-year domestic partnership." (Anonymous legal textbook)
Newspapers and Journalism
"The sudden divorce between the tech giant and its longtime manufacturing partner has sent shockwaves through the global supply chain, causing stock prices to dip by 5%." (The New York Times, October 2023)
"Rising costs of living and shifting social norms are contributing to a steady increase in 'gray divorce,' where couples over the age of 50 choose to end their marriages." (The Wall Street Journal, January 2024)
Online Publications and Digital Media
"In many cases, the divorce of a brand from its original founder leads to a complete shift in creative direction and corporate identity." (Forbes, May 2022)
"The tutorial explains how to manage a 'digital divorce,' providing steps on how to separate shared streaming accounts and cloud storage after a breakup." (Wired, August 2023)
Entertainment and Pop Culture
"The film's plot centers on the emotional fallout of a high-profile divorce, focusing specifically on the impact the separation has on the couple's adolescent children." (Film review, Variety, September 2019)
"The artist’s latest album was heavily influenced by her recent divorce, with several tracks exploring themes of isolation and newfound independence." (Rolling Stone, November 2021)
General Public Discourse
"We need to divorce the idea of success from the accumulation of material wealth if we want to improve the collective mental health of our society." (Exerpt from a public lecture on sociology)
"The candidate’s platform attempts to divorce fiscal conservatism from the social policies typically associated with the party." (Political analysis broadcast)
10 Famous Quotes Using Divorce
“Marriage is the chief cause of divorce.” (Groucho Marx)
“Divorces are made in heaven.” (Oscar Wilde)
“A divorce is like an amputation: you survive it, but there's less of you.” (Margaret Atwood)
“Divorce is the one human tragedy that reduces everything to cash.” (Rita Mae Brown)
“He taught me housekeeping; when I divorce, I keep the house.” (Zsa Zsa Gabor)
“Ah, yes, divorce—from the Latin word meaning to rip out a man's genitals through his wallet.” (Robin Williams)
“Divorce is a declaration of independence with only two signers.” (Gerald F. Lieberman)
“The only grounds for divorce in California are marriage.” (Cher)
“Divorce isn't such a tragedy; a tragedy's staying in an unhappy marriage.” (Jennifer Weiner)
“When two people decide to get a divorce, it isn't a sign that they don't understand one another, but a sign that they have, at least, begun to.” (Helen Rowland)
Etymology
The word divorce has a history rooted in the idea of turning away or going in a different direction.
Etymological Roots
The word traveled into English through the Old French word divorce, which originated from the Latin term divortium. This Latin noun was derived from the verb divertere, which literally translates to "to turn aside" or "to separate."
The Latin term is a combination of two parts:
dis-: meaning "apart" or "aside."
vertere: meaning "to turn."
Essentially, the word describes the act of two people who were walking a single path together deciding to turn away from one another and walk in separate directions.
First Known Use and Meaning
The term first appeared in the English language during the late 14th century (roughly around 1375–1400). When it was first used, its meaning was very similar to our modern legal definition: the formal dissolution of a marriage or the legal separation of a husband and wife.
Interestingly, while we now use "divorce" metaphorically to describe any sharp separation (like "divorcing" an idea from its context), its earliest recorded uses in Middle English were almost exclusively focused on the religious and legal breaking of the marriage contract.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Divorce
To get a divorce: To formally and legally end a marriage.
A messy divorce: A separation characterized by intense conflict, legal battles, and emotional distress.
Gray divorce: A demographic trend referring to an increase in the split of long-term marriages between older couples (usually age 50 and older).
Divorce from reality: An idiom used to describe a person or idea that is completely out of touch with facts or practical common sense.
Grounds for divorce: A legal or colloquial phrase referring to the specific reasons or justifications for ending a marriage.
No-fault divorce: A legal dissolution of marriage that does not require one spouse to prove the other did something wrong.
A clean break: An idiom often used in the context of divorce to describe a total and immediate separation without lingering ties.
To part ways: A common idiom used as a synonym for divorce, emphasizing the divergent paths of the individuals involved.
Sever the tie: A phrase used to describe the act of abruptly ending a relationship or connection, often used as a synonym for "to divorce."
Walking papers: An idiom meaning a notice of dismissal or the initiation of a divorce, signaling that one party is being asked to leave.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of divorce from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
