As a verb, it means to move or keep things apart, or to divide something into parts. As an adjective, it describes things that are not joined or are different and distinct from each other.
From Latin 'separatus', past participle of 'separare' meaning 'to divide, set apart', from 'se-' (apart) + 'parare' (to prepare, arrange). It entered English through French and Latin forms.
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