partition

n. [ F. partition, L. partitio. See Part, v. ] 1. The act of parting or dividing; the state of being parted; separation; division; distribution; as, the partition of a kingdom. [ 1913 Webster ]

And good from bad find no partition. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which divides or separates; that by which different things, or distinct parts of the same thing, are separated; separating boundary; dividing line or space; specifically, an interior wall dividing one part or apartment of a house, a compartment of a room, an inclosure, or the like, from another; as, a brick partition; lath and plaster partitions; cubicles with four-foot high partitions. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

No sight could pass
Betwixt the nice partitions of the grass. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A part divided off by walls; an apartment; a compartment. [ R. ] “Lodged in a small partition.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Law.) The severance of common or undivided interests, particularly in real estate. It may be effected by consent of parties, or by compulsion of law. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Mus.) A score. [ 1913 Webster ]

Partition of numbers (Math.), the resolution of integers into parts subject to given conditions. Brande & C. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Partitioned p. pr. & vb. n. Partitioning. ] 1. To divide into parts or shares; to divide and distribute; as, to partition an estate among various heirs. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To divide into distinct parts by lines, walls, etc.; as, to partition a house. [ 1913 Webster ]

Uniform without, though severally partitioned within. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. Divided into partitions.
Syn. -- partitioned off. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

n. An analysis into mutually exclusive categories.
Syn. -- breakdown. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. Separation by the creation of a boundary that divides or keeps apart.
Syn. -- division, partition, segmentation, subdivision. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. An advocate of partitioning a country. [ WordNet 1.5 ]