For several months a year, ice and snow virtually severed Ottawa from the rest of the country.

As he swam with friends, the shark struck, virtually severing one arm and causing deep wounds to his chest and stomach.

Dawn Storrs, who also had struck the guardrail, lay alongside her friend, her right leg virtually severed - held together by a thread of muscle tissue.

As a consequence of the revolution, Siam virtually severed all ties with the West, until some level of contacts were renewed in the 19th century.

One wound virtually severed her spinal cord, he said.

On the death of King Narai, Phetracha proclaimed himself king, expelled the French and virtually severed all ties with the West.