\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.
         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. --Blackstone.

\Sev"er\, v. i.
1. To suffer disjunction; to be parted, or rent asunder; to
   be separated; to part; to separate. --Shak.
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.