ENGLISH
REFERENCE

sever

v.
C1 Advanced US //ˈsɛvɝ// UK //sˈɛvɐ// sev·er

v. to cut through something completely or to suddenly end a relationship or connection.

v. to divide or separate a part from the whole by cutting; to end a relationship or connection abruptly and completely.


SIMPLE

The company decided to sever all ties with the dishonest supplier.

CONTEXTUAL

The accident was so severe that it threatened to sever the main power line to the hospital.

COMPLEX

In legal terms, the court may choose to sever a specific clause from a contract if it is found to be unenforceable, while leaving the rest of the agreement intact.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English severen, from Old French sevrer, from Latin separāre (“to separate”), from se- (“apart”) + parāre (“provide, arrange”). Doublet of separate, from the past participle of that Latin verb.

Usage

The verb is transitive and requires a direct object; often used with abstract nouns like 'ties', 'links', or 'relations'.

Pitfall

They severed with the partnerThey severed ties with the partnerSever is transitive and needs a direct object (like 'ties' or 'the connection') before the prepositional phrase.

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