bisection

• (US) enPR: bīsĕk'shən, IPA^(key): /baɪˈsɛkʃən/

bisection (countable and uncountable, plural bisections)

1. An act of division into two parts, especially two equal parts.

   Synonym: bisegmentation

   Coordinate terms: trisection (3), quadrisection (4); cross section, cross-section, transection

   • 1685, Venterus Mandey, Mellificium Mensionis: Or, the Marrow of Measuring‎^[1], 2nd edition, London: Thomas Howkins, page 73:

     If the Arches BI and IK be cut in the middle in a, and b, likewiſe the Arches DM, ML being cut in the middle in c and d; and the Chords of the Bifegments in the Arch BK being drawn; likewiſe the Chords of the Biſegments in the Arch DL; alſo theſe will be as AB to AD, and they will always be ſo, if the Biſegments of the Bifegments proceed infinitely. Alſo the fame is true in the Biſections of the Arches KC and LE. But the Chords of the Biſegments infinite in number are equal to the Arch itſelf. For if all the Chords were leſs than all their Arches, there might yet a Biſection proceed; which is contrary to the ſuppoſition.

   • 2011, Simon Sebag Montefiore, Jerusalem: The Biography – A History of the Middle East, page 276:

     After all, Usamah had served the sadist Zangi and, if read in full, his account presents a picture of Islamic violence no less shocking to modern sensibilities: the collecting of Christian heads, the crucifying and bisections of their own soldiers and heretics, the severe punishments of Islamic sharia – and the story of how his father, in a rage, lopped off the arm of his page.

2. Either of the two portions thus produced.

   Synonyms: bisegment, half, one-half

   Coordinate terms: trisection, third, one-third (3); quadrisection, quarter, one-quarter, fourth, one-fourth (4)

3. (computing) The act of bisecting.

• See Thesaurus:bisection