Separation

Definition

Separation refers to the action or state of moving or being moved apart, the detachment or division of things or people that were previously united or together.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˌsɛpəˈreɪʃən/
• Respelling: SEP-uh-RAY-shuhn (with "SEP" as in "pep," "uh" as a neutral sound like the 'a' in "sofa," "RAY" as in "ray," and "shuhn" as in the ending of "caution")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˌsɛpəˈreɪʃən/
• Respelling: SEP-uh-RAY-shuhn (similar to American English, with "SEP" as in "pep," "uh" as a neutral sound like the 'a' in "sofa," "RAY" as in "ray," and "shuhn" as in the ending of "caution")

This respelling uses "uh" to represent the schwa sound (/ə/), providing an approach that's easier to understand for those not familiar with the IPA, while still aiming to accurately convey the pronunciation nuances of "separation" in both dialects.

Etymology

The word separation originates from the Latin word separatio, derived from separare which means 'to separate'. It entered the English language in the early 15th century through Old French.

Derivatives

• Separatist
• Separate
• Separative
• Separator
• Separately

Synonyms

• Division
• Partition
• Segregation

Antonyms

• Union
• Connection
• Conjunction

Usage

The term separation is extensively used across different fields like law, physics, social sciences, and day-to-day conversation to denote the action or state of setting something or someone apart from others.

Related Terms

• Isolation
• Detachment
• Disjunction
• Divergence
• Disassociation

Detailed Definition

Noun

• The action or state of moving or being moved apart.
• Example: The separation of the continents is due to plate tectonics.

• The division of something into distinct parts.
• Example: The separation of powers is crucial for democracy.

• The detachment or division of relationships, groups, or entities that were previously united.
• Example: The separation caused much sadness among the family members.