Side-by-side terminal?

Odd question:

Anyone know if it is possible to have a virtual terminal that spans a split?

That is, taking a physical terminal which is split into two virtual terminals
  (1 | 2)
and having it treated as
  (1 | more-of-1)
?

I've got a widescreen laptop but and use programs like gdb where I'd
like to extent the number of viewable lines would be helpful.

Thanks in advance,
Rhys