asunder
English
Alternative forms
- asundre (obsolete)
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
- (UK, Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /əˈsʌndə/
- (US, General American) enPR: ə-sŭnʹdər, IPA(key): /əˈsʌndɚ/
- Rhymes: -ʌndə(ɹ)
- Hyphenation: asun‧der
Adverb
asunder (comparative more asunder, superlative most asunder)
- Into separate parts or pieces; apart.
- Lest anyone find her treasure, she tore the map asunder and cast its pieces into the wind.
- 1985, Kate Bush, 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
- apart, in twain; see also Thesaurus:asunder
Derived terms
Translations
into separate parts
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