divisional, a. (n.)
(dɪˈvɪʒənəl)
[see -al1.]
1. a. Of the nature of division; pertaining to, or serving for, division; characterized by division.
| 1738 A. Hill Let. to Ld. Bolingbroke 31 July, Wks. 1753 I. 289 Let this divisional contract between us support, and encourage a correspondence. 1796 Morse Amer. Geog. I. 447 The divisional line between Connecticut and Massachusetts. 1830 Lyell Princ. Geol. (1875) II. iii. xlviii. 575 A divisional structure, like that..derived from plates of mica. 1839 Bailey Festus (1854) 172 Time is divisional; eternity, all unitive. 1861 Craik Hist. Eng. Lit. I. 260 Separated by a point, or other divisional mark. |
b. Of a lower denomination which exactly divides or measures the higher; fractional; forming an aliquot part of the standard. Also as n. an aliquot part, a submultiple.
| 1826 Bentham in Westm. Review VI. 504 Successive divisional operations, performed upon the same integral subject-matter. 1880 Libr. Univ. Knowl. (N.Y.) IX. 764 Prefixing the Greek words..for multiples, and the Latin deci, centi, and milli for divisionals. 1892 Daily News 5 Sept. 5/1 A new issue of divisional money is contemplated. |
2. Of or belonging to a division, section, or portion: see division 10. Divisional Court: a court constituted by two or more judges of the High Court to try cases from one of the divisions (see division 10 a), when such cases are not suitable to be heard by a single judge.
| 1845 Stocqueler Handbk. Brit. India (1854) 296 Wattair, a military station, the head-quarters of the divisional command. 1846 Grote Greece i. xviii. II. 17 A population..without any special and recognised names either aggregate or divisional. 1873 Act 36 & 37 Vict. c. 66 §40 Such causes and matters as are not proper to be heard by a single judge shall be heard by divisional courts of the high court, which shall for that purpose exercise all or any part of the jurisdiction of the high court. 1875 Kinglake Crimea (1877) V. i. 95 The divisional commander and his brigadier. 1896 Times (weekly ed.) 17 Apr. 292/2 The police divisional surgeon. 1928 Daily Mail 3 Aug. 10/6 In recent years the trend of decisions is very different and reached its culminating point in the Divisional Court this year. 1939 Bishop & Sachs ABC of Divorce Practice 4 The President of the Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Division, with other Judges attached thereto are the permanent Judges of the Divorce Division and a Divisional Court..is constituted by two of these Judges or by any two Judges of the High Court, sitting together. |
Hence diˈvisionally adv., in relation to division, or to a division.
| 1872 Daily News 26 Aug., To accustom themselves and their respective commands to work divisionally. 1887 Lecky Eng. in 18th C. VI. xxv. 580 Throwing the greatest part of the borough representation into the counties, collectively or divisionally. |