asunder

Definition

Into separate parts or pieces.

Etymology

From Middle English asunder, asondre, onsunder, on sondre, from Old English asundran, onsundrum (“asunder, apart, privately”), from Proto-Germanic *sunder, *sundraz. Equivalent to a- + sunder. Cognate with Danish sønder, Swedish sönder, Dutch zonder, German sonder, Icelandic sundur, Faroese sundur and Norwegian sunder/sønder; akin to Gothic 𐍃𐌿𐌽𐌳𐍂𐍉 (sundrō).

Example Sentences

• "to tear asunder"
• "to crack asunder"
• "Page. I warrant you, he’s the man should fight with him. Robert Shallow. […] It appears so by his weapons. Keep them asunder:"

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