SuaviloquyToday’s word

subdivision

Subdivision, n.

Etymology: [L. subdivisio: cf. F. subdivision.]

1. The act of subdividing, or separating a part into smaller parts.

2. A part of a thing made by subdividing. In the decimal table, the subdivision of the cubit, as span, palm, and digit, are deduced from the shorter cubit. Arbuthnot.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for subdivision; he lists it under part.

Where he writes about it:

A subdivision is a division of a division. — from part