Legally separated from a spouse by court decree; no longer married to someone you were previously married to.
From Latin 'divortium' (separation), derived from 'divertere' (to turn away). The prefix 'di-' means 'apart' and 'vertere' means 'to turn,' literally meaning 'to turn away from.' The legal concept formalized in English during the Middle Ages.
Divorce rates actually reveal social progress—they're highest in countries with the most gender equality and strongest women's rights, because people (especially women) have the legal and economic freedom to leave unhappy marriages. The word itself literally means 'to turn away.'
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.