Split \Split\ (spl[i^]t), 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. spl[=i]zen. 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 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. [Colloq.]

--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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)