dīvortium
neuter
In Latin, the English phrase 'divorce' is translated as dīvortium. If unsure, use dīvortium. Wiktionary also lists diversiō.
Meaning: legal dissolution of a marriage (noun)
Ways to say it
| Latin | Note |
|---|---|
| dīvortium | neuter |
| diversiō | feminine |
The term refers to the legal dissolution of a marriage. You can also use the formal phrase dissolutio vinculi, which means 'the dissolution of the bond'.
What does it mean word for word?
The noun dīvortium is derived from the verb dīvertō and literally means 'a separation' or 'a turning away'.
Which one should you use?
dīvortium is a neuter noun often used to describe the state of being separated, whereas diversiō is a feminine noun that emphasizes the act of diverging or a turning aside.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
dīvortium is a neuter noun, while diversiō is a feminine noun.
Did you know?
- In ancient Rome, dīvortium was often a private matter that did not require a judge or official legal process, as marriage was seen as a factual state rather than a religious contract.
- Roman law allowed for dīvortium to be initiated by either the husband or the wife, which was far more liberal than the laws in many later European societies.
- The word diversiō is also used in Latin to describe a military retreat or a turning of an army, showing that 'diverging' applied to both hearts and soldiers.
Examples in context
- Dīvortium est difficile.Divorce is difficult.
Example conversation
Lucius and Claudia are discussing their separation.
- LuciusClaudia, dīvortium necesse est.Claudia, a divorce is necessary.
- ClaudiaCur dīvortium vīs?Why do you want a divorce?
- LuciusNon iam amōre ligamur.We are no longer bound by love.
- ClaudiaDīvortiō assentior.I agree to the divorce.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “divorce” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
