separate

/'seprit/

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Explanation of the Word "Separate"

Definition: The word "separate" can be used as an adjective, noun, or verb. It generally means to divide or keep things apart from each other.

Usage Instructions

As an Adjective: Use "separate" to describe things that are not connected or that exist independently.
- Example: "The school has separate classes for boys and girls."
As a Verb: Use "separate" to indicate the action of dividing or moving things apart.
- Example: "Please separate the recyclable items from the trash."
As a Noun: It can refer to an item that can be purchased or used independently.
- Example: "You can buy the shirt and pants separately."

Advanced Usage

Independent: When discussing things that function on their own or without needing each other.
- Example: "They started separate businesses."

Variants

Separation (noun): The act of separating or the state of being separated.
- Example: "The separation of the two countries was peaceful."
Separately (adverb): Doing something apart from others.
- Example: "They arrived separately at the party."

Different Meanings

Social Context: "Separate" can refer to the division of people based on race, gender, or class.
- Example: "The policy enforced separate facilities for different races."
Physical Context: It can describe objects that are not attached.
- Example: "The garage is a separate building from the house."

Synonyms

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Go separate ways: This phrase means to stop associating with someone or to take different paths in life.
- Example: "After college, we went our separate ways."
Separate the wheat from the chaff: This idiom means to distinguish valuable things from worthless ones.
- Example: "In a big project, it's important to separate the wheat from the chaff to focus on what really matters."
Separate into: Often used to describe breaking something into parts or categories.
- Example: "We need to separate the data into different groups for analysis."

Summary

"Separate" is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts to describe division, independence, or lack of connection.

Adjective

have the connection undone; having become separate
separated according to race, sex, class, or religion
- separate but equal
- girls and boys in separate classes
standing apart; not attached to or supported by anything
- a freestanding bell tower
- a house with a separate garage
independent; not united or joint
- a problem consisting of two separate issues
- they went their separate ways
- formed a separate church

Noun

a garment that can be purchased separately and worn in combinations with other garments
a separately printed article that originally appeared in a larger publication

Verb

divide into two or more branches so as to form a fork
- The road forks
come apart
- The two pieces that we had glued separated
treat differently on the basis of sex or race
become separated into pieces or fragments
- The figurine broke
- The freshly baked loaf fell apart
go one's own way; move apart
- The friends separated after the party
discontinue an association or relation; go different ways
- The business partners broke over a tax question
- The couple separated after 25 years of marriage
- My friend and I split up
make a division or separation
arrange or order by classes or categories
- How would you classify these pottery shards--are they prehistoric?
divide into components or constituents
- Separate the wheat from the chaff
separate into parts or portions
- divide the cake into three equal parts
- The British carved up the Ottoman Empire after World War I
mark as different
- We distinguish several kinds of maple
force, take, or pull apart
- He separated the fighting children
- Moses parted the Red Sea
act as a barrier between; stand between
- The mountain range divides the two countries

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