Sev"er (?), v. t. [imp. &. p. p. Severed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Severing.] [OF. sevrer, severer, to separate, F. sevrer to wean, fr. L. separare. See Separate, and cf. Several.] 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.
© Webster 1913.
Sev"er, v. i. 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.
© Webster 1913. | 
