sever
/ˈsɛvə
/verb [with object]
1Divide by cutting or slicing, especially suddenly and forcibly: the head was severed from the body (as adjective severed) severed limbs...
- The head is then severed from the animal whereafter it is handed to the father of the owner.
- He would float about the world without rest, for his head had been severed from his body.
- I'm not sure how it happened and what caused the branch to be severed from the tree there.
Synonyms
cut off, chop off, lop off, hack off, cleave, hew off, shear off, slice off, split;
break off, tear off;
divide, separate, part, detach, disconnect;
amputate, dock
literary rend
archaic sunder
rare dissever
cut, cut through, rupture, split, pierce, rip, tear
1.1Put an end to (a connection or relationship); break off: the notice itself may be sufficient to sever the joint tenancy...
- Now, that, one would think, is sufficient to sever the relationship.
- After an impassioned and joyous love affair, she severed their relationship in the late 1880s.
- I would effectively be severing my connection with them too.
Synonyms
break off, discontinue, suspend;
bring to an end, end, put an end to, terminate, stop, cease, conclude, dissolve
Derivatives
severable
- Mr Browne submits that the first two of these meanings are severable and distinct.
- She submitted that a decision may have many separate and severable elements within it.
- In my view, the liability and damages are distinct issues that are severable from one another.
Origin
Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French severer, from Latin separare 'disjoin, divide'.