SUBDIVIDE, verb transitive [sub and divide.] To divide a part of a thing into more parts; to part into smaller divisions. In the rise of eight in tones, are two half tones; so as if you divide the tones equally, the eight is but seven whole and equal notes; and if you subdivide that into half notes, as in the stops of a lute, it makes the number thirteen. The progenies of Cham and Japhet swarmed into colonies, and those colonies were subdivided into many others-- SUBDIVIDE, verb intransitive To be subdivided.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI