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   department

   /dɪˈpɑːtm(ə)nt/

   noun

   • 1. a division of a large organization such as a government, university, or business, dealing with a specific area of activity: "the council's finance department" Similar divisionsectionsectorsubsectionsubdivisionunitbrancharmwingsegmentcompartmentofficebureauagencyministry
   • ▪ an administrative district in France and other countries: "the turnout was particularly low in rural departments" Similar districtadministrative districtcantonprovinceterritorystatecountyshireparishregionareazonesectordivisionarchaic:demesne
   • ▪ an area of special expertise or responsibility: "that's not my department" Similar domainterritoryrealmprovincepreservejurisdictionspheresphere of activityareaarea of interestfieldlinespecialityspecialismarea of responsibilityresponsibilitydutyfunctionbusinessaffairchargetaskoccupationjobconcerninformal:pigeonbabybagthingbailiwickturf
   • ▪ a specified aspect or quality: "he was a bit lacking in the height department"

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Old French departement, from departir (see depart). The original sense was ‘division or distribution’, later ‘separation’, hence ‘a separate part’ (core sense, mid 18th century).

   Scrabble Points: 15

   • D

     2

   • E

     1

   • P

     3

   • A

     1

   • R

     1

   • T

     1

   • M

     3

   • E

     1

   • N

     1

   • T

     1

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