SECEDE

secede, splinter, break away

(verb) withdraw from an organization or communion; “After the break up of the Soviet Union, many republics broke away”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Verb

secede (third-person singular simple present secedes, present participle seceding, simple past and past participle seceded)

(intransitive) To split from or to withdraw from membership of a political union, an alliance or an organisation.

(transitive, uncommon) To split or to withdraw one or more constituent entities from membership of a political union, an alliance or an organisation.

Usage notes

• For political entities, the term secede does not apply only to federal states, but also to other kinds of political unions. It is commonly used in the case of provinces seceding from a unitary state.

• 'Secede' implies conflict, which may amount to physical conflict in the case of seceding from a political or religious entity, but which otherwise amounts to some form of disagreement at least by those who secede.

• 'Withdrawal from membership' in the definition does not apply to an individual person who simply terminates membership in an organisation, but to a group which withdraws from membership to carry on related activities in a separate entity.

Source: Wiktionary

Se"cede", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Seceded; p. pr. & vb. n. Seceding.] Etym: [L. secedere, secessum; pref se- aside + cedere to go, move. See Cede.]

Definition: To withdraw from fellowship, communion, or association; to separate one's self by a solemn act; to draw off; to retire; especially, to withdraw from a political or religious body.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition