early 15c., "division into shares, distinction," from Old French particion (12c.), from Latin partitionem (nominative partitio) "a sharing, division, partition, distribution; method of dividing," from past participle stem of partire "to part" (see part, v.). Sense of "that which separates" first recorded late 15c.

1741, from partition, n.. Related: Partitioned; partitioning.