Severing

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [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]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  severing
       n : the act of severing [syn: {severance}]