asunder

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word asunder. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word asunder, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say asunder in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word asunder you have here. The definition of the word asunder will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofasunder, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

Originally two words; from Old English on (“a (preposition)”) sundran (“separate position”), from Proto-Germanic *sunder, *sundraz. Cognate with Danish sønder, Swedish sönder, Dutch zonder, German sonder, Icelandic sundur, Faroese sundur and Norwegian sunder/sønder; akin to Gothic 𐍃𐌿𐌽𐌳𐍂𐍉 (sundrō).

Pronunciation

Adverb

asunder (comparative more asunder, superlative most asunder)

  1. (archaic, literary) Into separate parts or pieces.
    Synonyms: apart, in twain
    Lest anyone find her treasure, she tore the map asunder and cast its pieces into the wind.
    • c. 1597 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merry Wiues of Windsor”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies  (First Folio), London: Isaac Iaggard, and Ed Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, :
      Page. I warrant you, he’s the man should fight with him.
      Robert Shallow. […] It appears so by his weapons. Keep them asunder:
    • 1611, The Holy Bible,  (King James Version), London: Robert Barker, , →OCLC, Psalms 2:3:
      Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
    • 1726 October 28, [Jonathan Swift], Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. , London: Benj Motte, , →OCLC, (please specify |part=I to IV), page 57:
      He desired I would stand like a Colossus, with my Legs as far asunder as I conveniently could.
    • 1866, Charles Dickens, The Signal-Man‎:
      On both of those occasions, he came back to the fire with the inexplicable air upon him which I had remarked, without being able to define, when we were so far asunder.
    • 1985, Kate Bush (lyrics and music), “Running Up That Hill”:
      You don't want to hurt me, but see how deep the bullet lies. Unaware that I'm tearing you asunder. There is thunder in our hearts.

Synonyms

Derived terms

Translations

Anagrams

Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia