c. 1600, "having a quality of dividing," from divis-, past-participle stem of Latin dividere "to divide" (see divide (v.)) + -ive. Meaning "creating division, producing discord" is from 1640s. Related: Divisively; divisiveness.
diving
divinity
divisible
division
divisional
divisive
divisor
divorce
divorcee
divorcement
divot