several

== English == === Alternative forms === severall (obsolete) === Etymology === From Anglo-Norman several, from Medieval Latin sēparālis, from Latin sēpar (“separate”). By surface analysis, sever +‎ -al. Not related to severe or seven. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation, General American, Canada) IPA(key): /ˈsɛv.(ə.)ɹəl/ (General Australian, New Zealand) IPA(key): /ˈsev.(ə.)ɹəl/ Hyphenation: sev‧er‧al, seve‧ral === Adjective === several (comparative more several, superlative most several) (obsolete) Separate, distinct; particular. [15th–19th c.] A number of different; various. [from 16th c.] (law) Separable, capable of being treated separately. ==== Derived terms ==== === Determiner === several Consisting of a number more than one (especially, more than two) but not very many. [from 17th c.] Synonyms: a few, a couple of Antonyms: one; zero, no; many, numerous; countless Hypernyms: multiple, various Coordinate term: a handful of 1784, William Jones, The Description and Use of a New Portable Orrery, &c., preface: The favourable reception the Orrery has met with from Perſons of the firſt diſtinction, and from Gentlemen and Ladies in general, has induced me to add to it ſeveral new improvements in order to give it a degree of Perfection; and diſtinguiſh it from others ; which by Piracy, or Imitation, may be introduced to the Public. ==== Usage notes ==== Some dictionaries and many older grammars put several into the word class 'pronoun' in many of its uses. To some speakers, several means "more than one but not very many"; to some others, it means "more than two but not very many." The sole difference is whether two things count as several, when the counting is not precise (especially in situations where it may change at any instant, such as several birds in the yard). A similar variability likewise applies to a few, as well as a couple of versus a couple of. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== sever === Adverb === several (not comparable) By itself; severally. === Noun === several (plural severals) (obsolete) An area of land in private ownership (as opposed to common land). Each particular taken singly; an item; a detail; an individual. (Can we add an example for this sense?) (archaic) An enclosed or separate place; enclosure. (Can we add an example for this sense?) (archaic) A woman's loose outer garment, capable of being worn as a shawl, or in other forms. ==== Translations ==== === See also === Thesaurus:quantifier === References === “several”, in OneLook Dictionary Search. William Dwight Whitney, Benjamin Eli Smith, editors (1895–1910), “several”, in The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia: […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., →OCLC. === Anagrams === Leavers, laveers, leavers, reveals, vealers == Old French == === Adjective === several m (oblique and nominative feminine singular severale) separate ==== Declension ==== === Noun === several oblique singular, m (oblique plural severaus or severax or severals, nominative singular severaus or severax or severals, nominative plural several) one's own property or possession ==== Related terms ==== sevrer desevrer ==== Descendants ==== → English: several === References === several on the Anglo-Norman On-Line Hub