Search results for 'separate':

separate verb (separated, separating) 1 to take, force or keep apart (from others or each other) • A hedge separates the two fields. 2 intrans said of a couple: to cease to be together or live together. 3 to disconnect or disunite; to sever. 4 to isolate or seclude • He should be separated from the others. 5 to set apart for a purpose. 6 (also separate up) to divide or become divided into parts • The building is separated up into smaller apartments. 7 intrans to depart or withdraw; to secede. 8 intrans to become disconnected or disunited. adj 1 separated; divided. 2 distinctly different or individual; unrelated • That is a separate issue. 3 physically unattached; isolated. noun (usually separates) individual items which form a unit and which are often purchased separately to mix and match, eg items of women's clothing eg blouse, skirt, etc forming separate parts of an outfit, rather than a suit, or separate units of a hi-fi system such as a CD-player, amplifier, speakers, etc. separately adverb. separateness noun. separator noun.
ETYMOLOGY: 15c: from Latin separare, from se aside + parare to put.