separate

separate [sep′ə rāt΄; ] for adj. & n., [sep′ə rit, sep′rit]

vt.

separated, separating [ME separaten < L separatus, pp. of separare, to separate < se-, apart (see SECEDE) + parare, to arrange, PREPARE]

1. to set or put apart into sections, groups, sets, units, etc.; cause to part; divide; disunite; sever

2. to see the differences between; distinguish or discriminate between

3. to keep apart by being between; divide [a hedge that separates the yards]

4. to bring about a separation between (a husband and wife)

5. to single out or set apart from others for a special purpose; sort; segregate

6. to take away (a part or ingredient) from a combination or mixture

7. to discharge; specif.,

a) to release from military service

☆ b) to dismiss from employment

8. to dislocate (a body joint)

vi.

1. to withdraw or secede [to separate from a party]

2. to part, come or draw apart, or become disconnected

3. to part company; go in different directions; cease to associate

4. to stop living together as husband and wife without a divorce

5. to become distinct or disengaged, as from a mixture

6. to become dislocated, as a shoulder

adj.

1. set apart or divided from the rest or others; not joined, united, or connected; severed

2. not associated or connected with others; having existence as an entity; distinct; individual

3. thought of or regarded as having individual form or function [the separate parts of the body]

4. of or for one only; not shared or held in common [separate beds]

5. Archaic withdrawn from others; solitary

n.

1. OFFPRINT

2. [pl.] coordinated articles of dress worn as a set or separately in various combinations

separately

adv.

separateness

n.

SYN.- SEPARATE implies the putting apart of things previously united, joined, or assembled [to separate machine parts, a family, etc. ]; DIVIDE implies a separation into parts, pieces, groups, etc. by or as by cutting, splitting, branching, etc., often for purposes of apportionment [to divide the profits into equal shares ]; PART¹ is now usually applied to the separation of persons or things that have been closely connected or associated [“till death us do part” ]; SEVER implies a forcible and complete separation, as by cutting off a part from a whole [to sever a branch from a tree ]; SUNDER –ANT. UNITE¹, COMBINE