divulse: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Extremely rare (specialist/archaic)Formal/technical/archaic
Quick answer
What does “divulse” mean?
To tear or pull apart, especially by force.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To tear or pull apart, especially by force.
In medical contexts, to dilate or forcibly open a tubular structure or cavity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant modern differences; the word is equally obsolete in both varieties.
Connotations
In both, it carries a technical, forceful, and somewhat archaic connotation.
Frequency
Virtually unused in contemporary speech or writing in both regions, except in historical medical literature.
Grammar
How to Use “divulse” in a Sentence
[Surgeon/Instrument] divulses [Body Part]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “divulse” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The old surgical text described how to divulse the urethral stricture.
- One must be careful not to divulse the tissue unnecessarily.
American English
- The procedure aimed to divulse the narrowed duct.
- Historical techniques would often divulse rather than gently dilate.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rarely used, only in historical analyses of medical texts.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Extremely rare in modern medical literature; largely replaced by terms like 'dilate' or specific procedural names.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “divulse”
- Using it in place of 'divulge'.
- Assuming it is a common modern medical term.
- Using it in non-technical contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an extremely rare and archaic term, primarily found in old medical texts.
'Dilate' generally means to widen or expand, which can be gradual. 'Divulse' specifically implies a forcible, often violent, tearing or pulling apart.
You should avoid it. It is not understood by most speakers and sounds unnatural. Use more common synonyms like 'force open' or 'tear apart'.
No, they are false friends. 'Divulge' (from Latin 'divulgare') means to reveal information. 'Divulse' (from Latin 'divellere') means to tear apart. Their meanings and origins are completely different.
To tear or pull apart, especially by force.
Divulse is usually formal/technical/archaic in register.
Divulse: in British English it is pronounced /dʌɪˈvʌls/, and in American English it is pronounced /daɪˈvʌls/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of DIVULSE as a violent DIVORCE (Latin 'divellere' to tear apart) of tissues.
Conceptual Metaphor
SEPARATION IS VIOLENT TEARING.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the verb 'divulse' be most appropriately used?