dissever

American  

[dih-sev-er] / dɪˈsɛv ər /

verb (used with object)

1. to sever; separate.

2. to divide into parts.

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verb (used without object)

1. to part; separate.

dissever British  

/ dɪˈsɛvə /

verb

1. to break off or become broken off

2. (tr) to divide up into parts

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Other Word Forms

• disseverance noun
• disseveration noun
• disseverment noun
• undissevered adjective

Etymology

Origin of dissever

1250–1300; Middle English des ( s ) everen < Old French dessevrer < Late Latin dissēparāre, equivalent to Latin dis- dis- ¹ + sēparāre to separate

Explanation

To dissever is to separate or divide something. If you spend too much time staring at screens, you might want to dissever yourself from technology and go camping this weekend. These days, the verb dissever is considered old-fashioned or primarily literary — you're more likely to use words like sever or detach. It can be useful if you need a more poetic way to talk about dividing things, though: "Don't go to Maine for the summer; I can't bear to dissever my heart from yours!" Dissever comes from a Latin root, separare, "to pull apart."

Example Sentences

To dissever them without injury to the written spaces was by no means easy.

From Arthur Mervyn Or, Memoirs of the Year 1793 by Brown, Charles Brockden

So that when we came to part at the station, it was with a regret for that parting, and a hope that friendships were cemented on our journey, which nothing ever could dissever.

From A Flight in Spring In the car Lucania from New York to the Pacific coast and back, during April and May, 1898 by Knowles, J. Harris (John Harris)

And neither the artists in circles above, Or critics who view the débris, 52Can ever dissever the Nude from the Stairs, For both are so hobble-de-gee, So hobble-de-wobble-de-gee!

From The Re-echo Club by Wells, Carolyn

Yet it is grievous to think, that in some instances a difference, which extended no further than to the outward polity of the Church, could dissever and almost alienate those whom grace had made one.

From London in Modern Times or, Sketches of the English Metropolis during the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries. by Unknown

Perhaps, if I dissever and explain the word, it may enable even my English readers in some degree to approach a successful attempt at its pronunciation.

From The Catholic World; Volume I, Issues 1-6 A Monthly Eclectic Magazine by Rameur, E.