separating
Variant of separate
sepa·rate (sep′ə rāt′; for adj. & n., sep′ə rit, sep′rit)
transitive verb separated -·rat′ed, separating -·rat′·ing
- to set or put apart into sections, groups, sets, units, etc.; cause to part; divide; disunite; sever
- to see the differences between; distinguish or discriminate between
- to keep apart by being between; divide a hedge that separates the yards
- to bring about a separation between (a husband and wife)
- to single out or set apart from others for a special purpose; sort; segregate
- to take away (a part or ingredient) from a combination or mixture
- to discharge; specif.,
- to release from military service
- ☆ to dismiss from employment
- to dislocate (a body joint)
Etymology: ME separaten < L separatus, pp. of separare, to separate < se-, apart (see secede) + parare, to arrange, prepare
intransitive verb
- to withdraw or secede to separate from a party
- to part, come or draw apart, or become disconnected
- to part company; go in different directions; cease to associate
- to stop living together as husband and wife without a divorce
- to become distinct or disengaged, as from a mixture
- to become dislocated, as a shoulder
adjective
- set apart or divided from the rest or others; not joined, united, or connected; severed
- not associated or connected with others; having existence as an entity; distinct; individual
- thought of or regarded as having individual form or function the separate parts of the body
- of or for one only; not shared or held in common separate beds
- Archaic withdrawn from others; solitary
noun
- offprint
- coordinated articles of dress worn as a set or separately in various combinations
Related Forms:
- separately sep′a·rately adverb
- separateness sep′a·rate·ness noun
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Browse dictionary definitions near separating
Share on Facebook