Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Sever \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.

Sever \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.

Source : WordNet®

sever
     v 1: set or keep apart; "sever a relationship" [syn: {break up}]
     2: cut off from a whole; "His head was severed from his body";
        "The soul discerped from the body" [syn: {discerp}, {lop}]