Word of the Day

: February 25, 2007

asunder

adverb or adjective uh-SUN-der

What It Means

1 : into parts

2 : apart from each other in position

asunder in Context

The wreckage is believed to be that of a British vessel that was torn asunder by a deadly storm almost a hundred years ago.

Did You Know?

"Asunder" dates from the 14th century and can be traced back to the Old English word "sundor," meaning "apart." It is a relative of the verb "sunder," which means "to break apart or in two" or "to become parted or severed." The "into parts" sense of "asunder" is often used in the phrase "tear asunder," which can be used both literally and figuratively (as in "a family torn asunder by tragedy"). The "separated in position" sense can be found in the phrase "poles asunder," used to describe two things that are as vastly far apart as the poles of the Earth.

*Indicates the sense illustrated by the example sentence.