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View synonyms for sever

sever

[ sev-er ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to separate (a part) from the whole, as by cutting or the like.
  2. to divide into parts, especially forcibly; cleave.
  3. to break off or dissolve (ties, relations, etc.).
  4. Law. to divide into parts; disunite (an estate, titles of a statute, etc.).
  5. to distinguish; discriminate between.


verb (used without object)

  1. to become separated from each other; become divided into parts.

sever

/ ˈsɛvə /

verb

  1. to put or be put apart; separate
  2. to divide or be divided into parts
  3. tr to break off or dissolve (a tie, relationship, etc)
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of sever1

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English severen, from Middle French sev(e)rer; separate
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Word History and Origins

Origin of sever1

C14 severen, from Old French severer, from Latin sēparāre to separate
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Example Sentences

Chad is just the latest nation in Central and West Africa to sever its security agreements with Paris.

From BBC

By determining the audience for each piece of content that’s posted, platforms “sever the direct relationship between speakers and their audiences”, argue Professors Riemer and Peter.

From BBC

North Korea will sever road and railway access to South Korea from Wednesday in a bid to “completely separate” the two countries.

From BBC

“History has shown that Amazon is willing to simply sever the contracts of delivery companies whose workers do agree to unionize, so the Teamsters are figuring this is their best shot at making some cracks at Amazon,” Rosenfeld said.

As NPR noted, “It’s also a reminder that while the demilitarized zone divides the north and south, it did not sever centuries’ worth of Koreans’ shared family ties and culture.”

From Salon

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