in Law, the singling or severing two or more that join or are joined in the same writ or action. As if two join in a writ de libertate probanda, and the one be afterwards nonsuited; here severance is permitted, fo as notwithstanding the nonsuit of the one, the other may feverally proceed.

There is also severance of the tenants in aifize; when one, two, or more difciffes appear upon the writ, and not the other. And severance in debt, where two executors are named plaintiffs, and the one refuses to prosecute. We also meet with severance of fummons, feverance in attaints, &c. An estate in joint tenancy may be severed and destroyed by destroying any of its unities. 1. That of time, which reflects only the original commencement of the joint estate, cannot indeed (being now part) be affected by any subsequent tranfaaction. But, 2. The joint-tenants estate may be destroyed without any alienation, by merely disuniting their poftition. 3. The jointure may be destroyed, by destroying the unity of title. And, 4. By destroying the unity of interest.