Sever

v. t.	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. [imp. & p. p. Severed ; p. pr. & vb. n. Severing.] The angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just. - Matt. xiii. 49.
	2.	To cut or break open or apart; to divide into parts; to cut through; to disjoin; as, to sever the arm or leg. Our state can not be severed; we are one. - Milton.
	3.	To keep distinct or apart; to except; to exempt. 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.
	4.	(Law) To disunite; to disconnect; to terminate; as, to sever an estate in joint tenancy.
v. i.	1.	To suffer disjunction; to be parted, or rent asunder; to be separated; to part; to separate.
	2.	To make a separation or distinction; to distinguish. The Lord shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt. - Ex. ix. 4. They claimed the right of severing in their challenge. - Macaulay.

Verb	1.	sever - set or keep apart; "sever a relationship" Synonyms: break up
	2.	sever - cut off from a whole; "His head was severed from his body"; "The soul discerped from the body" Synonyms: lop, discerp

TO SEVER, practice. When defendants who are sued jointly have separate defences, they may in general sever, that is, each one rely on his own separate defence; each may plead severally and insist on his own separate plea. See Severance.

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