separating

transitive verb separated, separating

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.,
   1. to release from military service
   2. ☆ to dismiss from employment
8. to dislocate (a body joint)

Origin: ME separaten < L separatus, pp. of separare, to separate < se-, apart (see secede) + parare, to arrange, prepare

intransitive verb

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

adjective

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 Archaic withdrawn from others; solitary

noun

1. offprint
2. coordinated articles of dress worn as a set or separately in various combinations