divide vs shut off

divide is a noun but shut off is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
divide	Yes	No	Yes	No
shut off	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, shut off is a hyponym of divide; that is, shut off is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than divide:

Other hyponyms of divide include partition, zone, break, break up, dispel, disperse, dissipate, scatter, rail, rail off, detach, close off.

divide (noun)	shut off (noun)
a ridge of land that separates two adjacent river systems
a serious disagreement between two groups of people (typically producing tension or hostility)

divide (verb)	shut off (verb)
perform a division	block off the passage through
move or break apart	isolate or separate
force, take, or pull apart	stem the flow of
make a division or separation
separate into parts or portions
act as a barrier between; stand between