Verb (5-dan, る, transitive)
1. to cut (cloth, paper, etc.); to cut off
これで縄を断ち切れますね。With this, we can cut through the rope.
2. to sever (ties); to break off (relations); to give up (an attachment, habit, etc.); to stop (e.g. a vicious cycle)
迷いを断ち切る言葉もかけてくれた。They also said something that helped me cast off my doubts.
3. to cut off (a supply route, enemy's retreat, etc.); to block; to break up (e.g. an intelligence network)
退路を断ち切られてしまった。Our line of retreat has been cut off.