severing
NounSynonyms:
severance
WordNet 3.0
Noun (1)
- the act of severingSynonyms: severance
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Sever \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. [1913 Webster]
The angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just.— Matt. xiii. 49.[1913 Webster]
2.To cut or break open or apart; to divide into parts; to cut through; to disjoin; as, to sever the arm or leg. [1913 Webster]
Our state can not be severed; we are one.— Milton.[1913 Webster]
3.To keep distinct or apart; to except; to exempt. [1913 Webster]
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.[1913 Webster]
4.(Law) To disunite; to disconnect; to terminate; as, to sever an estate in joint tenancy. --Blackstone. [1913 Webster]