Asunder

Asunder is an English term meaning apart or into pieces. It functions primarily as an adverb, used to describe separation, as in "torn asunder" or "laid asunder." It can also appear as an adjective in a literary or archaic sense, for example "the village lay asunder." In contemporary writing, asunder is uncommon in everyday speech and is typically reserved for ornate, biblical, or historical registers. More common modern alternatives include apart, into pieces, or divided.

Etymology: The word derives from Old English or Middle English forms related to "sunder," the verb meaning to separate or break apart. The prefix "a-" attaches to form phrases such as "asunder" meaning "to be torn apart." The usage has remained stable in religious or poetic contexts, while other registers favor plain language.

Usage notes: "to sunder" is the related verb; "sunder" means to split apart. Collocations include "tear asunder," "pull asunder," "lay asunder." The phrase often conveys dramatic rupture—physical, political, or emotional. Examples: "The ship was torn asunder by the storm." "Souls were set asunder by betrayal."