bisect

[ verb bahy-sekt, bahy-sekt; noun bahy-sekt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to cut or divide into two equal or nearly equal parts.
2. Geometry. to cut or divide into two equal parts:

   to bisect an angle.

3. to intersect or cross:

   the spot where the railroad tracks bisect the highway.

verb (used without object)

1. to split into two, as a road; fork:

   There's a charming old inn just before the road bisects.

noun

1. Also called split. Philately. a portion of a stamp, usually half, used for payment of a proportionate amount of the face value of the whole stamp.

bisect

/ baɪˈsɛkt; baɪˈsɛkʃən /

verb

1. tr maths to divide into two equal parts
2. to cut or split into two

bisect

/ bī′sĕkt′,bī-sĕkt′ /

1. To cut or divide into two parts, especially two equal parts.

Derived Forms

• bisection, noun

Other Word Forms

• bi·section noun
• bi·section·al adjective
• bi·section·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of bisect¹

1640–50; bi- ¹ + -sect < Latin sectus, past participle of secāre to cut, sever; section

Word History and Origins

Origin of bisect¹

C17: bi- ¹+ -sect from Latin secāre to cut

Example Sentences

By the time it reaches Corona, it splits into two segments — the Chino fault, which heads toward Chino Hills; and the Whittier fault, which is near or bisects the L.A.

From Los Angeles Times

Soldiers also entered the Netzarim Corridor, which runs roughly four miles and bisects the enclave just south of Gaza City.

From Los Angeles Times

The carvings depict bighorn sheep, bisected circles and at one site, a miner swinging a pickax.

From Los Angeles Times

Though war has subsided in much of the country, Deir al-Zour, which is bisected by the Euphrates, remains a hostage to competing ambitions.

From Los Angeles Times

Israel has agreed to withdraw from the Netzarim Corridor — which runs from east to west and bisects the Strip — and Gaza residents can go back to their homes in the enclave’s north.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cut across