[ad. late L. subdīvīsio, -ōnem, n. of action f. subdīvīs-, subdīvidĕre to SUBDIVIDE. Cf. F., Sp. subdivision, It. suddivisione.]
1. The act or process of subdividing, or fact of being subdivided.
1599. B. Jonson, Cynthia’s Rev., II. iii. To come to your … courtiers face, tis of three sorts, according to our subdiuision of a courtier, elementarie, practique, and theorique.
1622. Malynes, Anc. Law-Merch., 360. The Denomination, Division and Subdivision of the moneys of all Countreys is most necessarie for Merchants.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., II. xxiv. 128. There were twelve Tribes, making them thirteen by subdivision of the Tribe of Joseph.
1776. Adam Smith, W. N., I. i. (1869), I. 12. This subdivision of employment in philosophy, as well as in every other business, improves dexterity, and saves time.
1845. Encycl. Metrop., IV. 802. The aliquot subdivision of a vibrating string.
1855. Bain, Senses & Int., I. ii. § 15 (1864), 43. The Cerebral Nerves are divided into nine pairs, some of these being considered as admitting of farther subdivision.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xx. IV. 490. The increase of wealth had produced its natural effect, the subdivision of labour.
1889. Welch, Text Bk. Naval Archit., 113. Watertight Subdivision of Ships.
b. An instance of this.
a. 1577. Sir T. Smith, Commw. Eng., I. iii. (1584), 3. Of these maner of rulinges by one, by the fewer part [etc.] … they which haue more methodically … written vpon them, doe make a subdiuision.
1634. R. H., Salerne’s Regim., Pref. The third Ranke … admits a Subdivision into Better and Worse, Wise and Foolish, Learned and Ignorant.
1776. Adam Smith, W. N., I. xi. (1869), I. 175. The nature of their business admits of the utmost subdivisions of labour.
1861. Ld. Brougham, Brit. Const., xix. 313. Too minute a subdivision of business tends to contract the minds of those who perform it.
2. One of the parts into which a whole is subdivided; part of a part; a section resulting from a further division; Nat. Hist. a subordinate division of a group.
1553. T. Wilson, Rhet. (1580), 113. Of these three partes of Philosophie, I might make other three subdiuisions, and largely set them out.
1643. Sir T. Browne, Relig. Med., I. § 52. Methinks amongst those many subdivisions of hell, there might have bin one Limbo left for these. Ibid. (1646), Pseud. Ep., 54. Chrystall … is … reduced by some unto that subdivision which comprehendeth gemmes.
1662. Stillingfl., Orig. Sacr., I. ii. § 6. The Gnosticks and the severall subdivisions of them.
1777. S. Robson, Brit. Flora, 14. The petiole … subdivided, having two leafits on each subdivision. Ibid., 37. Orders are the subdivisions of Classes.
1825. Syd. Smith, Wks. (1859), II. 197/2. A small subdivision of the clergy of the North Riding of Yorkshire.
1842. Gwilt, Archit., § 2848. 778. The subdivisions, apartments, or portions whereof a building consists.
1850. Ansted, Elem. Geol., Min., etc. 371. The deposits of the Secondary epoch … may … be divided into four principal groups, each of which again presents well marked subdivisions.
1874. Stubbs, Const. Hist., I. ii. 16. Their armies were arranged according to the contingents which represented the tribal sub-divisions.
b. Milit. The half of a division (in first quot. the rear half). Also at various times, the half of a company; in the artillery, a gun with its waggons (now called SUBSECTION).
1625. Markham, Souldiers Accid., 28. Whensoever this Bodie … (which containeth but ten persons in fyle) shall be devided in the midst betweene the Middlemen, then the last fiue Rankes to the Reareward are called by the name of Subdevision.
1702. Milit. Dict. (1704), s.v., Subdivisions, are the lesser parcels, into which a Regiment is divided in marching, being half the greater divisions.
1727. H. Bland, Milit. Discipl., v. 60. When a Battalion is divided into three equal Parts or Divisions, each Division is then called a Grand-Division. Sub-Divisions are formed by dividing each Grand-Division into three, four or five equal Parts.
1796. Instr. & Reg. Cavalry (1813), 223. Subdivisions, Right Wheel!
1802. C. James, Milit. Dict., s.v., A company divided forms two subdivisions.
1858. Beveridge, Hist. India, III. IX. iv. 635. The British force began to advance along the trunk road in a column of sub-divisions.
1876. Voyle & Stevenson, Milit. Dict., Sub-division, in artillery, a gun with its wagon.
1889. Standing Orders Royal Regim. Artill., 41. Four-gun Batteries will be divided into two Sections—Right and Left—of a Sub-Divisions each.
1913. Times, 14 May, 6/2. A bearer sub-division R.A.M.C.
