KJV Dictionary Definition: divorce

divorce

DIVORCE, n. L. See Divert.

1. A legal dissolution of the bonds of matrimony, or the separation of husband and wife by a judicial sentence. This is properly called a divorce, and called technically, divorce a vinculo matrimonii.

2. The separation of a married woman from the bed and board of her husband, a mensa et thoro.

3. Separation; disunion of things closely united.

4. The sentence or writing by which marriage is dissolved.

5. The cause of any penal separation.

The long divorce of steel falls on me.

DIVORCE, v.t.

1. To dissolve the marriage contract, and thus to separate husband and wife.

2. To separate, as a married woman from the bed and board of her husband.

3. To separate or disunite things closely connected; to force asunder.

4. To take away; to put away.

divorced

DIVORCED, pp. Separated by a dissolution of the marriage contract; separated from bed and board; parted; forced asunder.

divorcement

DIVORCEMENT, n. Divorce; dissolution of the marriage tie.

Let him write her a bill of divorcement. Deuteronomy 24.

divorcer

DIVORCER, n.

1. The person or cause that produces divorce.

2. One of a sect called divorcers, said to have sprung from Milton.

divorcing

DIVORCING, ppr. Dissolving the marriage contract; separating from bed and board; disuniting.

divorcive

DIVORCIVE, a. Having power to divorce.

Definitions from Webster's American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828.
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