EXAMPLES FROM THE WEB FOR SEVERAL
For several weeks, there was no apparent change in Philothea's health or spirits.
The country is very dry, and I should think there has not been any rain for several months.
Windich and I fired our revolvers at them several times, and chased them up the hill.
Many tracks were seen, following mine and Windich's for several miles.
I have been acquainted with her character and actions for several years.
They are the preservation of the rights of the several States and the integrity of the Union.
On his entrance the whole audience rose and cheered for several minutes.
Several of these incursions occurred while we were at Helvetia.
Several of these were killed, and their captain and forty men taken.
Several times she dressed the child, singing to him all the time.
WORD ORIGIN
early 15c., "existing apart," from Anglo-French several, from Middle French seperalis "separate," from Medieval Latin separalis, from Latin separ "separate, different," back-formation from separare "to separate" (see separate (v.)). Meaning "various, diverse, different" is attested from c.1500; that of "more than one" is from 1530s, originally in legal use.
Related: Severalty. Jocular ordinal form severalth attested from 1902 in American English dialect (see -th (2)).