Split (splĭt), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Split (Splitted, R.); p. pr. & vb. n.Splitting.] [Probably of Scand. or Low German origin; cf. Dan. splitte, LG. splitten, OD. splitten, spletten, D. splijten, G. spleissen, MHG. splīzen. Cf. Splice, Splint, Splinter.] 1. To divide lengthwise; to separate from end to end, esp. by force; to divide in the direction of the grain or layers; to rive; to cleave; as, to split a piece of timber or a board; to split a gem; to split a sheepskin.
Cold winter split the rocks in twain. Dryden.
2. To burst; to rupture; to rend; to tear asunder.
A huge vessel of exceeding hard marble split asunder by congealed water. Boyle.
3. To divide or break up into parts or divisions, as by discord; to separate into parts or parties, as a political party; to disunite. South.
4. (Chem.) To divide or separate into components; — often used with up; as, to split up sugar into alcohol and carbonic acid.
To split hairs, to make distinctions of useless nicety.