Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Separation \Sep`a*ra"tion\, n. [L. separatio: cf. F.
   s['e]paration.]
   The act of separating, or the state of being separated, or
   separate. Specifically:
   (a) Chemical analysis.
   (b) Divorce.
   (c) (Steam Boilers) The operation of removing water from
       steam.

   {Judicial separation} (Law), a form of divorce; a separation
      of man and wife which has the effect of making each a
      single person for all legal purposes but without ability
      to contract a new marriage. --Mozley & W.

Source : WordNet®

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}]