- partition (n.)

- early 15c., "division into shares, distinction," from Old French particion (12c.), from Latin partitionem (nominative partitio) "a sharing, division, partition, distribution; method of dividing," from past participle stem of partire "to part" (see part (v.)). Sense of "that which separates" first recorded late 15c.
- partition (v.)

- 1741, from partition (n.). Related: Partitioned; partitioning.