I. ə-ˈpärt adverb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French a part, literally, to one side
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : at a little distance
tried to keep apart from the family squabbles
b. : away from one another in space or time
towns 20 miles apart
2.
a. : as a separate unit : independently
viewed apart , his arguments were unsound
b. : so as to separate one from another
found it hard to tell the twins apart
3. : excluded from consideration : aside
a few blemishes apart , the novel is excellent
4. : in or into two or more parts : to pieces
coming apart at the seams
II. adjective
Date: 1728
1. : separate , isolated
those athletes are a breed apart
2. : holding different opinions : divided
• apart·ness noun