Search the Dictionary

The act of separating, or the state of being separated, or separate. Specifically:

in Latin and some other languages, -- the fundamental meaning of the case being removal, separation, or taking away.

A sudden breaking off; a violent separation of bodies. Woodward.

A state of separation from other things; as, to consider a subject in the abstract, or apart from other associated things.

A separation from worldly objects; a recluse life; as, a hermit's abstraction.

o a wife out of her husband's estate or income for her support, upon her divorce or legal separation from him, or during a suit for the same. Wharton. Burrill.

The separation of a compound substance, by chemical processes, into its constituents, with a view to ascertain either (a) what elements it contains, or (b) how much of each element is present. The former is called qualitative, and the latter quantitative analysis.

Separately, in regard to space or company; in a state of separation as to place; aside. Others apart sat on a hill retired. Milton. The Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself. Ps. iv. 3.

Separation by atmolysis.

tend to; esp. to cause to approach, adhere, or combine; or to cause to resist divulsion, separation, or decomposition. All bodies and all parts of bodies mutually attract themselves and one another. Derham.

draw them together, or to produce their cohesion or combination, and conversely resisting separation.

A tearing asunder; a forcible separation. The avulsion of two polished superficies. Locke.

Any limit or boundary; a line of separation. 'Twixt that [instinct] and reason, what a nice barrier ! Pope. Barrier gate, a heavy gate to close the opening through a barrier. -- Barrier reef, a form of coral reef which runs in the general direction of the shore, and incloses a lagoon channel more or less extensive. -…

Any elevation made by the separation of the film or skin, as on plants; or by the swelling of the substance at the surface, as on steel.

The act or state of separation into branches; division into branches; a division or branch. The sciences, with their numerous branchings. L. Watts.

A wall of separation in a shaft or gallery used for ventilation.

Disruption; a separation and dispersion of the parts or members; as, a break-up of an assembly or dinner party; a break-up of the government.

An obstinate and often incurable disease of a horse's foot, characterized by separation of the horny portion and the development of fungoid growths; -- usually resulting from neglected thrush.

The separation of a leaf or floral organ into two more parts.

and wife. The law presumes that husband and wife cohabit together, even after a voluntary separation has taken place between them. Bouvier.