The word 'sunder' is commonly misspelled due to the unusual arrangement of letters. The correct spelling is /ˈsʌndə/, with the 'u' followed by an 'n' instead of 'e'. The word is a verb that means to split apart, often used in a poetic or archaic context. The spelling of 'sunder' reflects its Old English origin, where the word was spelled as 'syndran'. It's important to spell this word correctly in order to effectively communicate its meaning in written form.
Sunder can be defined as a verb that means to split or divide forcefully, or to separate something or someone by force. It typically implies a strong and violent separation, often resulting in a permanent or irreparable split. The term is derived from the Old English word "sundrian," which means to separate.
When used figuratively, sunder can refer to the emotional or social separation between people or groups, suggesting a deep rift or alienation. It encapsulates the idea of severing connections or bonds and emphasizes the harsh or abrupt nature of the action. Examples of such figurative usage could include "sundered by conflicting ideologies" or "sundered by betrayal."
In a more literal sense, sunder may describe the physical act of tearing something apart, such as sundering a piece of fabric or breaking apart a solid object into fragments. It often connotes a sense of force or violence, indicating a significant exertion of power or strength to achieve the separation. For instance, "The earthquake's force sundered the ground, creating a massive crevice."
Overall, sunder serves to convey a sense of absolute and forceful separation, implying a sudden and impactful divide that is typically difficult or impossible to bridge.
To part; to separate; to divide.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "sunder" is of Middle English origin and can be traced back to the Old English word "syndrian" or "syndrian". It can be further traced to the Proto-Germanic word "sundran" which means "apart" or "separately". This Proto-Germanic word is related to the Sanskrit word "santaram" meaning "apart" and the Greek word "chōran" meaning "widely separate". The word "sunder" ultimately evolved from these ancient roots to mean "to separate" or "to break apart".