divellent

English

Etymology

From Latin divellens.

Adjective

divellent (comparative more divellent, superlative most divellent)

1. (obsolete) Causing to break up or separate

   divellent energies

   • 1852, John Phillips, A Treatise on Geology:

     If we consider that the aggregation of rocks and minerals, whether we regard it as a fruit of chemical or mechanical actions, is no otherwise fixed or stable, than as the forces which tend to keep them united are superior to those which from all sides strive to separate them, we shall be prepared to comprehend how the variations of these con stringent and divellent forces, according to heat, moisture, new elementary combinations, &c., bring a silent but sure and often rapid decay on all the structures of man

   • 1883 January, “The Great Comet of 1882”, in Popular Science Monthly:

     This great and unprecedented elongation of the nucleus is a most remarkable phenomenon. If it had occurred at or near the time of perihelion passage, it might have been naturally attributed to the divellent action of the sun's attraction; but it is a little difficult to see why the thing should have pulled out and come to pieces in such a way after getting safely by the crisis.

References

• “divellent”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.

Latin

Verb

dīvellent

1. third-person plural future active indicative of dīvellō