severed

[sev-erd]

adjective

1. separated from the whole or divided into parts, as by cutting or the like.

   The severed cables belonged to two internet companies.

2. (of ties or a relationship) broken off or dissolved.

   One of the greatest tragedies we see in our work is the severed relationships between those in need and their family and friends.

3. Law.,  (of an estate, titles of a statute, etc.) divided into parts.

   A practice known as severed property, or split estates, allows developers to keep or obtain mineral rights underneath privately owned land.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of sever.

Other Word Forms

• half-severed adjective
• unsevered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of severed¹

sever ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

The network then severed ties with Dowd, according to a person briefed on the decision who was not authorized to comment.

From Los Angeles Times

All around, severed cables dangle from what remains of any ceiling.

From BBC

Ukraine has denied involvement in the blasts, which severed a key source of natural gas for Europe.

From BBC

Meanwhile Godstone remains severed by the closure of the road, and some businesses have suffered big drops in passing trade.

From BBC

Six severed heads have been found on a road in central Mexico, in an area not normally associated with cartel violence.

From BBC

Related Words

• busted 
• collapsed www.thesaurus.com
• cracked 
• crumbled www.thesaurus.com
• crushed www.thesaurus.com
• damaged www.thesaurus.com
• defective 
• demolished www.thesaurus.com
• destroyed www.thesaurus.com
• fractured www.thesaurus.com
• fragmented 
• injured www.thesaurus.com
• mangled www.thesaurus.com
• mutilated www.thesaurus.com
• ruptured www.thesaurus.com
• shattered 
• smashed 
• splintered www.thesaurus.com