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Webster 1913 Edition
Several
1.
Separate; distinct; particular; single.
Each
several
ship a victory did gain. Dryden.
Each might his
Would all but stoop to what they understand.
several
province well command,Would all but stoop to what they understand.
Pope.
2.
Diverse; different; various.
Spenser.
Habits and faculties,
several
, and to be distinguished. Bacon.
Four
several
armies to the field are led. Dryden.
3.
Consisting of a number more than two, but not very many; divers; sundry;
as,
. several
persons were present when the event took placeSev′er-al
,adv.
By itself; severally.
[Obs.]
Every kind of thing is laid up
several
in barns or storehoudses. Robynson (More’s Utopia).
Sev′er-al
,Noun.
1.
Each particular taken singly; an item; a detail; an individual.
[Obs.]
There was not time enough to hear . . .
The
The
severals
. Shakespeare
2.
Persons oe objects, more than two, but not very many.
Several
of them neither rose from any conspicuous family, nor left any behind them. Addison.
3.
An inclosed or separate place; inclosure.
[Obs.]
They had their
several
for heathen nations, their several
for the people of their own nation. Hooker.
In several
, in a state of separation.
[R.]
“Where pastures in several be.” Tusser.
Webster 1828 Edition
Several
SEV'ERAL
,Adj.
1. Separate; distinct; not common to two or more; as a several fishery; a several estate. A several fishery is one held by the owner of the soil, or by title derived from the owner. A several estate is one held by a tenant in his own right, or a distinct estate unconnected with any other person.
2. Separate; different; distinct.
Divers sorts of beasts came from several parts to drink. Bacon.
Four several armies to the field are lead. Dryden.
3. Divers; consisting of a number; more than two, but not very many. Several persons were present when the event took place.
4. Separate; single; particular.
Each several ship a victory did gain. Dryden.
5. Distinct; appropriate.
Each might his several province well command,
Would all but stoop to what they understand. Pope.