Share Definition

shâr

shared, shares, sharing

noun

A part or portion that belongs or is allotted to an individual, or the part contributed by an individual.

Webster's New World

A just, due, reasonable, or full part or quota.

To do one's share of work.

Webster's New World

Any of the parts or portions into which the ownership of a piece of property is divided.

Webster's New World

Any one of the equal parts into which the capital stock of a corporation is divided.

Webster's New World

A unit of ownership in a mutual fund or other investment vehicle.

Bought two shares in a mutual fund.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

Synonyms:
commission
piece
percentage
cut
ration
part
on the basis of investments
in proportion
proportionally
heritage
whack
rake-off
pittance
fragment
fraction

Antonyms:

Antonyms:
whole

verb

shared, shares, sharing

To distribute in shares; give out a portion or portions of; apportion.

Webster's New World

To accord a share in (something) to another or others.

Shared her chocolate bar with a friend.

American Heritage

To share or divide something equally.

Webster's New World

To participate in, use, enjoy, or experience jointly or in turns.

Share a responsibility; share a room.

American Heritage

To receive, use, experience, etc. in common with another or others.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Antonyms:
be selfish
keep
hold
take no part in
have no share in
avoid
withhold
combine
unite

idiom

go shares

To be concerned or partake equally or jointly, as in a business venture.

American Heritage

go shares

to take part jointly, as in an enterprise

Webster's New World

on shares

with each person concerned taking a share of the profit or loss

Webster's New World

share and share alike

with each having an equal share

Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Share

Noun

Singular:

Plural:

go shares
go shares
on shares
share and share alike

Origin of Share

From Middle English schare, schere, from Old English scearu (“a cutting, shaving, a shearing, tonsure, part, division, share"), from Proto-Germanic *skarō (“a division, detachment"), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)ḱar-, *skar- (“to divide"). Cognate with Eastern Frisian skar, sker (“a share in a communal pasture"), Dutch schaar (“a dab, pair of scissors, claw"), German Schar (“band, troop, party, company"), Icelandic skor (“department"). Compare shard, shear.

From Wiktionary
From Middle English share, schare, shaar, from Old English scear, scær (“ploughshare"), from Proto-Germanic *skaraz (“ploughshare"), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kerÉ™- (“to cut"). Cognate with Dutch schaar (“ploughshare"), German dialectal Schar (“ploghshare"), Danish plovskær (“ploghshare"). More at shear.

From Wiktionary
Middle English from Old English scearu division sker-¹ in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Middle English from Old English scēar sker-¹ in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition