sectionalize

sectional +‎ -ize

sectionalize (third-person singular simple present sectionalizes, present participle sectionalizing, simple past and past participle sectionalized)

1. (transitive) To divide into sections.
   • John G. Nicolay and John Hay, Life of Lincoln

     On the whole, the principal results of the struggle were, to sectionalize parties more completely, ripen Southern sentiment towards secession, and combine wavering voters in the free-States in support of Republican doctrines.

• sectionalization