ˈsev(ə)rəltē, -ti noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English severalte, from Anglo-French severalté, from several + -té -ty
1. : the quality or state of being several : distinctness , separateness
things combined may lose their severalty
2.
a. : a sole, separate, and exclusive possession, dominion, or ownership : one's own right without a joint interest in any other person — usually used with in
holds an estate in severalty
has tenants in severalty
— distinguished from coparcenary, joint tenancy ; opposed to common
b. : the quality or state of being individual or particular — usually used with in
treat of each great department of our social life in severalty — H.D.Traill
3.
a. : land owned by individual right
broke up the commons into severalties
b. : the quality or state of being held by individuals
by unanimous vote of the town meeting the common field was converted into severalty
4. obsolete : something separate : quality , detail , part