From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishseversev‧er /ˈsevə $ -ər/ ●○○ verb formal 1 [intransitive, transitive]CUT to cut through something completely, separating it into two parts, or to become cut in this way SYN cut off Martin’s hand was severed in the accident. a severed rope2 SEPARATE[transitive]STOP something THAT IS HAPPENING to end a relationship with someone, or a connection with something, especially because of a disagreement SYN break offsever ties/relations/connections/links etc (with/between somebody) The two countries severed diplomatic relations. She had severed all contact with her ex-husband.RegisterIn everyday English, people usually say cut off rather than sever:The end of his finger had been cut off.The children's father had cut off all contact with them.→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
sever• Flesheating monsters and severed body parts dance through the pages as though daring the reader to read on.• Both his legs were severed completely, the right one mid-thigh, the left up at the hip.• Doctors worked to reattach his severed finger.• The price of such knowledge was scars, severed fingers, and burns.• Apparently forensic want to argue that the head was severed from the body after death.• The ruling Kuomintang is desperately in need of reform, including rooting out blatant corruption and severing gangland ties.• A local news agency said gangs paraded several severed heads around the town.• Since the job required that he be politically neutral, he had to sever his links with the Socialist Party.• By this time it was severed just around the corner from Staveley Town South Junction.• High winds severed power lines in many areas last night.• Britain immediately severed relations with the three countries involved.sever ties/relations/connections/links etc (with/between somebody)• Some 35 members voted to sever ties with the churches.• The Arabs had severed relations with Salomon when it had merged with the commodity traders Phillips Brothers.• The personal touch obviously worked with Mike Greenwell when Duquette was about to sever ties two years ago.• The spokesman said no one called the Kings on Wednesday morning to sever ties with the team.• They planned to start by severing ties with the thrift industry.• Villanova ultimately severed ties with du Pont even after he pumped enormous amounts of money into their wrestling program.From Longman Business Dictionaryseversev‧er /ˈsevə-ər/ verb [transitive]COMMERCE to end a business relationship or connection with someone because of a disagreementHe hassevered all financial ties with his former firm.A business dispute caused the company and its distributor tosever relations.→ See Verb tableOrigin sever (1300-1400) Old French severer, from Latin separare; → SEPARATE2 