Etymology From Middle French dividende, from Latin dīvidendum (“thing to be divided”), future passive participle of dīvidō (“to divide”), by surface analysis, divide + -end.
1
Business, Finance A cash payment of money by a company to its shareholders, usually made periodically (e.g., quarterly or annually).
On all dividends which do not exceed six per centum per annum, eight per centum; on dividends exceeding six per centum and not exceeding seven per centum, a tax of nine per centum...1861, Laws of Pennsylvania of the Session of 1861, page 511:
Quarterly or annual dividend payments provide good income streams for investors who need cash in the short-term. And for those playing the longer game, dividends can be reinvested to buy even more shares in those same companies.2022 September 14, Paul R. La Monica, “As markets wobble, buy the stocks that pay you back”, in CNN Business:
2
Arithmetic A number or expression that is to be divided by another.
In "42 ÷ 3" the dividend is the 42.
3
Figuratively Beneficial results from a metaphorical investment (of time, effort, etc.)
His 10,000 hours of practice and recitals eventually paid dividends when he become first-chair violinist.
That blood and pain paid a dividend, too, even when the subject wasn't a sorcerer.2012, Cameron Haley, Retribution:
3 more examples
The money I'd spent on getting scuba certified was about to pay a dividend. My half-baked escape plan came together.2014, Bobby Adair, Slow Burn: Dead Fire, Book 4::
'Why not: you, Elvira, will shortly pay a dividend, that is, have a child.'2016, Christina Stead, The Beauties and Furies, page 163:
The United States is not the only country where xenophobia pays dividends for politicians.2021 March 19, Frida Ghitis, “The GOP’s xenophobia is fueling toxic culture of hate”, in CNN:
Etymology From Middle French dividende, from Latin dīvidendum (“thing to be divided”), future passive participle of dīvidō (“to divide”), by surface analysis, divide + -end.
1
To pay out a dividend.
He held instead that the words "sell or otherwise dispose of" in Clause 2 of the Shareholders' Agreement prevented the dividending of the shares in Hawker Holdings to the shareholders of Hawker Siddeley […]1997, Shareholder Rights, Oppression and Good Faith, page 40:
Therefore, $125 million of 1983 Preferred Shares (Blue Jay) would be tendered for retirement with $135 million of the $370 million dividended up to Blue Jay.2007, Kevin K. Boeh, Paul W. Beamish, Mergers and Acquisitions: Text and Cases, page 324: