divide and conquer

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Verb 1.2.1 See also 1.2.2 Translations 1.3 Noun

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Latin divide et impera

[edit] Verb

to divide and conquer

1. A combination of political, military and economic strategies that aim to gain and maintain power by breaking up larger concentrations of power into chunks that individually have less power than the one implementing the strategy.
2. (computing) Applied to various algorithms, such as quicksort, that solve a problem by splitting it recursively into smaller problems until all of the remaining problems are trivial.
3. (as imperative, proverb) In order to rule securely, don't allow alliances of your enemies.

[edit] See also

• divide and rule

[edit] Translations

[edit] Noun

divide and conquer (this singular form only)

1. A strategy for achieving political or military control.