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Definition separate in British English

separate verb

verb
/ˈsepəreɪt/
1

to keep people or things apart from each other

Example

The army was called in to help separate the warring factions.

Example

The child may be separated from his mother while she receives treatment.

Synonyms and related words
1.1

to move apart and stop being connected to something

Example

As he pulled, the pipe separated from the wall and broke.

Synonyms and related words
2

if something separates two people or things, it exists between them so that they are kept apart

Example

A large river separates the north of the city from the south.

Example

Their garden is separated from the factory by a tall fence.

Example

They are separated by thousands of miles.

Synonyms and related words
3

to divide something, or become divided, into different parts

Example

The two issues need to be separated to discuss them fairly.

Synonyms and related words
4

to stop living with your husband, wife, or sexual partner

Example

Millie's parents separated when she was three.

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5

to be the quality or detail that makes someone or something different from others

Example

This political skill separates him from other ultra-conservative politicians.

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5.1

to be the difference between the winner and the others in a competition

Example

Only three points separated the top two teams.

Synonyms and related words
Definition separate in British English