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The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook by BETTER WORDS R. B. Skinner
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severance

IPA:

How to pronounce severance (audio)

Dictionary definition of severance

The act of separating or cutting off something from a larger whole.
"The employee received a severance package after being laid off."

Detailed meaning of severance

The term is most commonly used in the context of employment, where it refers to the process of terminating an employee's employment and the compensation that is provided to the employee as a result. Severance pay is a financial compensation given to an employee upon termination of employment, usually based on the length of service and the position held. The severance package could also include benefits such as health insurance, outplacement services, and other forms of support to help the employee during the transition period. In some cases, severance pay is provided as a result of a reduction in workforce or downsizing, while in others it is provided as a result of an individual's resignation, retirement, or termination for cause. The term can also be used in other contexts such as legal, where it refers to the act of separating or dissolving a legal relationship or contract.

Example sentences containing severance

1. The severance of diplomatic ties between the two countries escalated into a tense standoff.
2. Following the company's merger, employees anxiously awaited news of their severance packages and job security.
3. The mountain's rugged terrain made the severance of the hiking trail a challenging task for the park rangers.
4. The emotional severance from her childhood home left her feeling both nostalgic and anxious about the future.
5. A well-structured severance agreement can provide employees with financial stability during periods of job uncertainty.
6. The company's decision to close down the factory resulted in the severance of long-standing employee relationships.

History and etymology of severance

The noun 'severance' has its etymology rooted in Latin. It derives from the Latin word 'severantia,' which is formed from 'severare,' meaning 'to separate' or 'to cut off.' This etymological origin aptly encapsulates the core concept of 'severance' as the act of separating or cutting off something from a larger whole. It conveys the idea of division and detachment, emphasizing the process by which a part is severed or disconnected from the whole. 'Severance' carries with it a sense of finality and deliberate separation, and its Latin roots illustrate the precision and clarity of meaning that etymology can provide in understanding the word's usage in the English language.

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Further usage examples of severance

1. The river's natural severance of the landmass created a unique and picturesque landscape.
2. The legal team worked tirelessly to negotiate the severance of complex international trade agreements.
3. The severance of communication between the spacecraft and mission control raised concerns about the mission's success.
4. The abrupt severance of the internet connection left them disconnected from the virtual world.
5. The historical preservation society fought to prevent the severance of the historic building from its original location.
6. The treaty outlined the peaceful severance of disputed territories between the neighboring nations.
7. In the wake of the economic recession, many families faced the severance of their financial stability.
8. The medical team performed the delicate severance of the conjoined twins with precision and care.
9. The mountain's continuous erosion led to the gradual severance of large rock formations.
10. Negotiating severance terms and benefits was an essential part of the labor union's role.
11. The company's financial crisis necessitated the severance of non-essential departments to stay afloat.
12. The severance of cultural ties between generations can lead to misunderstandings and generational gaps.
13. The severe weather conditions resulted in the severance of transportation links, isolating remote communities.
14. The severance of the partnership left both parties with mixed emotions about their future endeavors.
15. The river's unpredictable meandering caused the gradual severance of property lines, leading to legal disputes.
16. The political conflict led to the complete severance of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
17. The severance of a major artery during surgery required immediate intervention to save the patient's life.
18. The severance of old friendships can be emotionally taxing, but sometimes it's necessary for personal growth.
19. The pipeline's ruptured caused the abrupt severance of the city's gas supply, resulting in a temporary crisis.
20. Negotiating the terms of severance packages became a focal point during the labor strike.
21. The severance of ancient trade routes played a significant role in reshaping regional economies.
22. The company's decision to downsize led to widespread job severance, impacting numerous employees and their families.
23. The tree's dramatic severance from its roots was a stark reminder of the power of nature.
24. Their severance from the oppressive regime marked the beginning of a new era of freedom and self-determination.

Suffix -ance, GRE 11 (Graduate Record Examination), Aftermath and Consequences, Boundaries and Limits, Damage and Destruction, Departure and Leaving, Division and Separation, Elimination and Suspension, Distribution and Supplementary

breach,divorce,estrangement,rupture,split

breakup,parting,separation,sundering

separation, union, attachment, connection

eb68db_7d8d0960f1604075a77d3783a6e62ed7.mp3

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