severance (severans)

[ A God, a God their severance ruled! And bade betwixt their shores to be The unplumb'd, salt, estranging sea. M. Arnold, Switzerland, v. Severance of a joint tenancy, in law, a severance made by destroying the unity of interest. Thus, when there are two joint tenants for life, and the inheritance is purchased by or descends upon either, it is a severance. - Severance of an action, the division of an action, as when two persons are joined in a writ and one is nonsnited: in this case severance is permitted, and the other plaintiff may proceed in the suit.