separateness
separateness — noun
1. the condition in which objects, people, or places are not touching, attached, or
the condition in which objects, people, or places are not touching, attached, or connected to each other; a situation where distance or a physical barrier keeps things apart from one another
A thick stone wall maintained the separateness of the two neighbouring gardens.
collocation: separateness of [two things]
Tunde valued the separateness of his workshop from the main house.
possessive + separateness
The separateness of each apartment was clear from its own front door and staircase.
Sora preferred the separateness of the village houses, each standing alone in its own piece of land.
- detachment
emphasises being physically or emotionally pulled away from something
- isolation
stronger connotation of being alone or cut off; more negative than separateness
- disconnection
focuses on the absence of a link that used to exist or could exist
- connection
the state of being joined or linked
- union
the state of being joined together as a whole
文法句型
the separateness of [something/someone]
possessive + separateness
用法筆記
Nearly always used with a possessive determiner or an 'of'-phrase that specifies what is separate from what. Without such a complement the meaning can feel vague.
常見錯誤
2. the quality of having a character, identity, or way of thinking that is clearly
the quality of having a character, identity, or way of thinking that is clearly different from others; individuality that sets a person, group, or thing apart
Despite living in the same city, each community proudly maintained its own cultural separateness.
collocation: cultural separateness
Padma's art expresses a strong sense of separateness from the mainstream fashion world.
collocation: sense of separateness
The filmmaker celebrates the separateness of each character through their unique speech and clothing.
Anthony values the separateness of his musical style from the pop mainstream.
- individuality
focuses on unique personal qualities; a more common and positive word than separateness
- distinctiveness
emphasises noticeable differences that make someone or something stand out
- particularity
more formal; stresses specific or unique features of a thing
- sameness
the quality of being identical or very similar
- uniformity
the state of being the same throughout, without variation
文法句型
sense of separateness
own separateness
cultural / personal separateness
用法筆記
Commonly collocates with 'own' or 'sense of' to highlight personal or group distinctiveness. In this sense separateness is usually neutral or positive — unlike the negative tone of 'isolation'.
常見錯誤
3. the political condition of being self-governing and independent, not controlled
the political condition of being self-governing and independent, not controlled or ruled by another country or authority
The region's long struggle for political separateness ended with a peace agreement in 1998.
collocation: political separateness
Beatrix argued that the island's separateness should be recognised in the new constitution.
domain-specific: constitution / governance context
Some local leaders called for greater fiscal separateness from the central government.
The treaty formally recognised the separateness of the two territories.
- independence
more common and broader; emphasises freedom from outside control in any domain
- autonomy
emphasises the right to self-govern rather than full independence; used for regions within a larger state
- sovereignty
formal and legal; stresses supreme authority over a territory
- dependence
the state of being controlled or supported by another power
- subjugation
the act of being brought under control by force
文法句型
political separateness
separateness from [country/government]
fight / struggle for separateness
用法筆記
Most common in political science, history, and legal writing about sovereignty, devolution, or secession. Less common in everyday conversation, where 'independence' or 'autonomy' are preferred.