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)

Word History and Origins

Origin of sever¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sever¹

C14 severen, from Old French severer, from Latin sēparāre to _separate

Example Sentences

On her 2014 LP, “1989,” she finally severed herself from country music, and needed to show the world she could be as dominant in the pop arena, and she succeeded commercially and artistically.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

This connection was severed, drying the Red Sea into a barren salt desert.

Read more on Science Daily

A bag is a bag is a bag, even if the one being handed to you has a severed foot sticking out of it.

Read more on Salon

“She made accusations that I skinned its skull, and I severed its head and then I took it with me,” he said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Over the past few weeks, the Taliban government began severing fibre-optic internet connections across several provinces, saying this was part of an effort to prevent immorality.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• abandon 
• break off 
• dissolve 
• put an end to 
• separate 
• terminate