sunder

UK: ˈsʌndə | US: ˈsʌndər

Definition

  1. vt. to split or break apart forcefully

  2. vi. (archaic) to become separated or divided

Structure
sund <separate>er <verb-forming suffix>
Etymology

sunder = sund<separate> + er<verb-forming suffix>

  • sund<separate>: From Old English sundrian, meaning "to divide or separate." Related to Old Norse sundr ("apart") and German sondern ("to separate").
  • er: A verb-forming suffix in Old English, often indicating action.

Etymology Origin:
The word sunder traces back to Proto-Germanic sundrōną, meaning "to split apart." Its core logic revolves around forceful division, as seen in phrases like "sunder the chains" (free by breaking). Over time, it became less common in everyday speech but survives in poetic or archaic contexts, retaining its vivid imagery of separation.

Examples

  1. The earthquake sundered the ancient bridge in two.

  2. War has sundered families for generations.

  3. He tried to sunder the ropes binding his hands.

  4. Their friendship was sundered by betrayal.

  5. (Archaic) "Till death us do part, or life us sunder."