SEVER

vi to make a separation or distinction; to distinguish.

2. sever ·vt to keep distinct or apart; to except; to exempt.

3. sever ·vt to cut or break open or apart; to divide into parts; to cut through; to disjoin; as, to sever the arm or leg.

4. sever ·vi to suffer disjunction; to be parted, or rent asunder; to be separated; to part; to separate.

5. sever ·vt to disunite; to disconnect; to terminate; as, to sever an estate in joint tenancy.

6. sever ·vt 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.