scindo

Scindo is a Latin verb meaning to tear apart, split, or cleave. In dictionary form the lemma is scindere; scindo is the first-person singular present indicative active form. Scindere is a third‑conjugation verb, and its principal parts are scindo, scindere, scidi, scissum. The present active indicative forms are scindo, scindis, scindit, scindimus, scinditis, scindunt. The verb follows the standard patterns of the third conjugation for other tenses and voices, with the imperfect and other forms built from the same stem, and the perfect formed as scidi with a supine form scissum. The present passive occurs as scinditur in the third person singular, as in lignum scinditur, “the wood is split.” The past participle is scissus (feminine scissa, neuter scissum).

Etymology and related forms: scindo derives from the Latin stem scind-, related to the act of cutting or tearing. Its derived nouns and adjectives include scissio (a cutting or tearing; the English scission is borrowed from this sense) and scissus (torn). The English adjective scissile, and the noun scission, come from the same Latin root, illustrating the verb’s semantic range.

Usage: In classical Latin, scindo is used for physically tearing materials (wood, fabric, etc.) and for figurative or metaphorical division. It can express separation, division, or dismantling of objects, arguments, or groups, depending on context.

See also: scindere, scissile, scission.