dissever
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to sever; separate.
-
to divide into parts.
verb (used without object)
verb
-
to break off or become broken off
-
(tr) to divide up into parts
Other Word Forms
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."
Vocabulary lists containing dissever
Selection Vocabulary 1, Unit 2
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Chop Chop: Synonyms for "Cut"
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Selection Vocabulary 4, Unit 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Of course there would be marriage, but of deliberate choice, and after a long and purely platonic friendship, in which all the horrid little failings that do most to dissever could be recognized and weighed.
From Ancestors A Novel by Atherton, Gertrude Franklin Horn
You attempt to live your life on one side only, to dissever that which was made for unity, and calamity comes to crush you.
From Morality as a Religion An exposition of some first principles by Sullivan, W. R. Washington
But all her childish reasoning could not dissever the two.
From Olive A Novel by Bowers, G.
This is not the type of anecdote which looms large in the volumes of "minced saints" prepared for pious readers, and its absence has accustomed us to dissever humour from sanctity.
From Americans and Others by Repplier, Agnes
“The handkerchief is parted now, Ye have parted us for good and ever, But whilst with life our breasts shall glow Our love ye shall dissever never.”
From Axel Thordson and Fair Valborg a ballad by Borrow, George Henry
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
