separation
     n 1: the act of dividing or disconnecting
     2: coming apart [syn: {breakup}, {detachment}]
     3: the state of lacking unity [ant: {union}]
     4: the distance between things; "fragile items require
        separation and cushioning" [syn: {interval}]
     5: sorting one thing from others; "the separation of wheat from
        chaff"; "the separation of mail by postal zones"
     6: the social act of separating or parting company; "the
        separation of church and state"
     7: the space where a division or parting occurs; "he hid in the
        separation between walls"
     8: termination of employment (by resignation or dismissal)
     9: (law) the cessation of cohabitation of man and wife (either
        by mutual agreement or under a court order) [syn: {legal
        separation}]
Source: WordNet® 2.0