sever Meaning, Definition & Usage

Sev"er transitive verb

Etymology

OF. sevrer, severer, to separate, F. sevrer to wean, fr. L. separare. See Separate, and cf. Several.

Wordforms

imperfect & past participle Severed ; present participle & verbal noun Severing

Definitions

1. To separate, as one from another; to cut off from something; to divide; to part in any way, especially by violence, as by cutting, rending, etc.; as, to sever the head from the body.

   The angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just. Matt. xiii. 49.

2. To cut or break open or apart; to divide into parts; to cut through; to disjoin; as, to sever the arm or leg.

   Our state can not be severed; we are one. Milton.

3. To keep distinct or apart; to except; to exempt.

   I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there. Ex. viii. 22.

4. (Law) To disunite; to disconnect; to terminate; as, to sever an estate in joint tenancy. Blackstone.

Sev"er intransitive verb

Definitions

1. To suffer disjunction; to be parted, or rent asunder; to be separated; to part; to separate. Shak.
2. To make a separation or distinction; to distinguish.

   The Lord shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt. Ex. ix. 4.

   They claimed the right of severing in their challenge. Macaulay.