severed

American

[sev-erd] / ˈsɛv ərd /

adjective

separated from the whole or divided into parts, as by cutting or the like.

The severed cables belonged to two internet companies.
(of ties or a relationship) broken off or dissolved.

One of the greatest tragedies we see in our work is the severed relationships between those in need and their family and friends.
Law. (of an estate, titles of a statute, etc.) divided into parts.

A practice known as severed property, or split estates, allows developers to keep or obtain mineral rights underneath privately owned land.

verb

the simple past tense and past participle of sever.

Other Word Forms

half-severed adjective
unsevered adjective

Etymology

Origin of severed

sever ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But now, their black-speckled corpses were severed from their roots, plucked from the earth one by one.

From Literature

The war has severed key logistics routes, scared away tourists from cities like Dubai and dramatically reduced air traffic throughout the region.

From The Wall Street Journal

A number of charities have already severed their links with Ferguson after an email from 2011 revealed she called Epstein her "supreme friend" and seemed to apologise for her public criticism of him.

From BBC

He startled Beijing by taking Tsai’s congratulatory call on his election, making him the first U.S. president-elect to speak directly to a Taiwanese leader since 1979, when Washington severed formal diplomatic ties with the island.

From The Wall Street Journal

This forced removal and severed ties with their homeland, combined with a "coercive environment" in Russia, "has been a source of deep distress for the children", according to the UN.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023