Definition of: separate

(sep′ə·rāt) v. ·rat·ed, ·rat·ing v.t.
1. To set asunder; disunite or disjoin; sever.
2. To occupy a position between; serve to keep apart: The Hudson River separates New York from New Jersey.
3. To divide into components, parts, etc.
4. To isolate or obtain from a compound, mixture, etc.: to separate the wheat from the chaff.
5. To consider separately; distinguish between.
6. Law To part by separation.
—v.i.
7. To become divided or disconnected; draw apart.
8. To part company; withdraw from association or combination.
—adjective (sep′ər·it, sep′rit)
1. Existing or considered apart from others; distinct; individual: separate rooms.
2. Disembodied; disunited from the body.
3. Separated; disjoined.
—noun
1. An offprint.
2. plural Garments to be worn in various combinations, as skirts and blouses. See synonyms under PARTICULAR. [<L separatus, pp. of separare <se- apart + parare prepare]
—sep′a·rate·ly adverb
—sep′a·rate·ness noun Synonyms (verb): alienate, detach, disconnect, disengage, disjoin, dissever, disunite, divide, part, remove, sever, split, sunder, withdraw. Antonyms: see synonyms for MIX.