separation

noun

Etymology: Attested in the 15th Century C.E.; from Middle English separacioun, from Old French separacion, from Latin separatio, separationem. Morphologically separate + -ion.

1. The act of disuniting two or more things, or the condition of being separated.
2. The act or condition of two or more people being separated from one another.

   “We were a band of brothers, and never dearer to each other than now. The thought which gave us the most pain, was the probable separation which would now take place, in case we were sold off to the far south, as we were likely to be.”

   “[…] my longing for her was undiminished despite our months of near-complete separation.”

3. The act or condition of a married couple living in separate homes while remaining legally married.

   “‘If he dares to refuse me a separation, I’ll have one in law—I can—and I hope this will be a warning to all girls who have seen this disgraceful exhibition.’”

   “[…] she [knows] her great-aunt’s concern over her son Warren, his two divorces, and now Alice’s bitter separation from her husband, Ben.”

4. The act or condition of a married couple living in separate homes while remaining legally married.

   “I should have gone back to her the day after the fair, if it hadn't been for you talking about the law, and rubbish about getting a separation;”

   ““You are deserting me?” “Don’t be the neglected, dramatic wife, Scarlett. The rôle isn’t becoming. I take it, then, you do not want a divorce or even a separation? Well, then, I’ll come back often enough to keep gossip down.””

5. The place at which a division occurs.

   “I was now on the separation of two vast water-sheds; behind me all the streams were bound for the Garonne and the Western Ocean; before me was the basin of the Rhone.”

6. An interval, gap or space that separates things or people.

   “[…] gentle friend, for love and courtesy Lie further off; in human modesty, Such separation as may well be said Becomes a virtuous bachelor and a maid, So far be distant;”

7. An object that separates two spaces.

   “[The orchard] was full of trees, it bloomed with flowers: a very high wall shut it out from the court, on one side; on the other, a beech avenue screened it from the lawn. At the bottom was a sunk fence; its sole separation from lonely fields:”

8. Departure from active duty, while not necessarily leaving the service entirely.