Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Split \Split\ (spl[i^]t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Split}
   ({Splitted}, R.); p. pr. & vb. n. {Splitting}.] [Probably of
   Scand. or Low german origin; cf. Dan. splitte, LG. splitten,
   OD. splitten, spletten, D. splijten, G. spleissen, MHG.
   spl[=i]zen. Cf. {Splice}, {Splint}, {Splinter}.]
   1. To divide lengthwise; to separate from end to end, esp. by
      force; to divide in the direction of the grain layers; to
      rive; to cleave; as, to split a piece of timber or a
      board; to split a gem; to split a sheepskin.

            Cold winter split the rocks in twain. --Dryden.

   2. To burst; to rupture; to rend; to tear asunder.

            A huge vessel of exceeding hard marble split asunder
            by congealed water.                   --Boyle.

   3. To divide or break up into parts or divisions, as by
      discord; to separate into parts or parties, as a political
      party; to disunite. [Colloq.] --South.

   4. (Chem.) To divide or separate into components; -- often
      used with up; as, to split up sugar into alcohol and
      carbonic acid.

   {To split hairs}, to make distinctions of useless nicety.