separator

[sep-uh-rey-ter]

noun

1. a person or thing that separates.

2. any of various apparatus for separating one thing from another, as cream from milk, steam from water, or wheat from chaff.

3. Electricity.,  a device that prevents metal contact between plates of opposite charge in a storage battery.

4. Machinery.,  retainer.

Other Word Forms

• preseparator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of separator¹

1600–10; < Late Latin sēparātor, equivalent to Latin sēparā ( re ) to separate + -tor -tor

Example Sentences

Adams, 32, has been regarded as one of the NFL’s elite separators ever since he was selected by the Packers in the second round of 2014 draft out of Fresno State.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Our job is to impact the mental and physical capability of the players. The physical part is much easier. The mental part — emotional stability, consistency — that’s the separator. And trust is everything.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Separation is a big thing that I wanted to work on, and now I’ve got one of the ultimate separators ever,” Whittington said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The “how” is broken down into five pillars the team calls separators: communication, block destruction, ball disruption, effort and angles, and tackling.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A battery consists of two electrodes -- the anode and cathode, typically made of different materials -- as well as a separator and electrolyte, a chemical medium that allows for the flow of electrical charge.

Read more on Science Daily