Definition of sever

The origin of the word "sever" can be traced back to the Middle English word "seuerven," which means "to cut off" or "to separate." The Old English word "swefian" was a predecessor to this, meaning "to move or remove suddenly." The word "sever" originally had a similar meaning, as it was used to describe an action of cutting off or separating, such as cutting off a limb or dividing something into parts. In Old English, the verb form was "secan" and the noun form was "secope," which meant a cutting-off or severance. Over time, the word began to take on different connotations, including a sense of harshness or cruelty in cutting off or separating. This led to its current meaning of being strict or harsh, particularly in relation to punishment or discipline. Thus, the etymological roots of "sever" demonstrate its original meaning of cutting off or separating, which have evolved over time into denoting a more severe or harsh interpretation.