sever

[ sev-er ]
/ ˈsɛv ər /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR sever ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

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

verb (used without object)

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

Origin of sever

1300–50; Middle English severen < Middle French sev(e)rer to separate

OTHER WORDS FROM sever

half-sev·ered, adjective un·sev·ered, adjective

Words nearby sever

seventy-six, seventy-sixth, seventy-third, seventy-three, seventy-two, sever, severable, several, severalfold, severally, severalty

Words related to severed

detach, disconnect, split, separate, terminate, abandon, dissolve, rive, sunder, cleave, cut, divide, bisect, dissect, disjoin, dissociate, part, slice, disunite, carve

Example sentences from the Web for severed

British Dictionary definitions for severed

sever
/ (ˈsɛvə) /

verb

to put or be put apart; separate
to divide or be divided into parts
(tr) to break off or dissolve (a tie, relationship, etc)

Word Origin for sever

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