Ongedeelde

Ongedeelde is a Dutch adjective meaning undivided or not shared. It describes something that has not been split into parts or allocated among multiple parties. The form is built from the negating prefix on- attached to gedeelde, the past participle of delen (to share). In contemporary Dutch, the more common form for this sense is onverdeelde; ongedeelde is comparatively rare and typically found in older texts, fixed expressions, or regional usage.

Usage and notes: Because ongedeelde is uncommon, it is most frequently encountered in historical writing or in contexts where the wording reflects older language. In modern formal writing, onverdeelde is usually preferred to avoid ambiguity. In legal or philosophical discussions, both forms may appear, but onverdeelde remains the standard choice for the standard sense of “undivided.” When referring to ownership or property, editors often opt for onverdeelde to describe assets not partitioned among co-owners.

Etymology: The word derives from on-, a negative prefix, plus gedeelde, the past participle of delen (to share). The existence of ongedeelde as a variant highlights the historical fluidity in Dutch spelling and word formation.

See also: onverdeelde, ondeelbaar, verdeeld, delen.