several

Definitions

From Latin separ ('each its own, separate'), itself from the parāre branch (se- + parāre). 'Things kept separate' = a number of distinct ones, which faded into the vague modern 'a few.' The old 'separate, respective' sense survives in formal phrases like 'they went their several ways.'

Why It Means This

A surprising relative of separate. The everyday meaning ('a few') hides an older idea of separateness: when things are several, they are each their own, counted one by one. That is why legal English still says 'jointly and severally liable' — each party liable on their own, separately.

Common Collocations

• 1.several times好几次
• 2.several years好几年
• 3.several of them他们当中的几个
• 4.jointly and severally连带及各自地

Example Sentences

• 1.

  I've been to Japan several times for work.

• 2.

  Several of the guests had already left by midnight.

• 3.

  The project was delayed for several reasons.