The dissolution of the marriage tie was regulated by the Mosaic law (Deuteronomy 24:1-4). The Jews, after the Captivity, were reguired to dismiss the foreign women they had married contrary to the law (Ezra 10:11-19). Christ limited the permission of divorce to the single case of adultery. It seems that it was not uncommon for the Jews at that time to dissolve the union on very slight pretences (Matthew 5:31, 32; 19:1-9; Mark 10:2-12; Luke 16:18). These precepts given by Christ regulate the law of divorce in the Christian Church.

Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (n.) A legal dissolution of the marriage contract by a court or other body having competent authority. This is properly a divorce, and called, technically, divorce a vinculo matrimonii.

2. (n.) The separation of a married woman from the bed and board of her husband -- divorce a mensa et toro (/ thoro), from bed board.

3. (n.) The decree or writing by which marriage is dissolved.

4. (n.) Separation; disunion of things closely united.

5. (n.) That which separates.

6. (n.) To dissolve the marriage contract of, either wholly or partially; to separate by divorce.

7. (n.) To separate or disunite; to sunder.

8. (n.) To make away; to put away.