adj.
/
ˈsɛp(ə)rət/
forming or viewed as a unit apart or by itself; not joined or united with others.
▸different; distinct.
v.
/
ˈsɛpəreɪt/
- move or come apart; make or become detached or disconnected.
▸stop living together as a couple.
▸US discharge or dismiss from service or employment.
- divide into constituent or distinct elements.
▸extract or remove for use or rejection.
▸distinguish between or from another; consider individually.
- form a distinction or boundary between.
pl. n.
(
separates)
/
ˈsɛp(ə)rəts/
things forming units by themselves, in particular individual items of clothing suitable for wearing in different combinations.
Derivative
- separately adv.
- separateness n.
- separative adj.
- separator n.
Etymology
ME: from L. separat-, separare ‘disjoin, divide’, from se- ‘apart’ + parare ‘prepare’.