online medical dictionary | definition of divorce

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. "from the bond of matrimony." The separation of a married woman from the bed and board of her husband divorce a mensa et toro (or thoro), "from bed board."

2. The decree or writing by which marriage is dissolved.

3. Separation; disunion of things closely united. "To make divorce of their incorporate league." (Shak)

4. That which separates. Bill of divorce. See Bill.

Origin: F. Divorce, L. Divortium, fr. Divortere, divertere, to turn different ways, to separate. See Divert.

(01 Mar 1998)