I. ˈse-gri-ˌgāt verb
( -gat·ed ; -gat·ing )
Etymology: Latin segregatus, past participle of segregare, from se- apart + greg-, grex herd — more at secede
Date: 1542
transitive verb
1. : to separate or set apart from others or from the general mass : isolate
2. : to cause or force the separation of (as from the rest of society)
intransitive verb
1. : separate , withdraw
2. : to practice or enforce a policy of segregation
3. : to undergo genetic segregation
• seg·re·ga·tive -ˌgā-tiv adjective
II. ˈse-gri-gət, -ˌgāt noun
Date: 1871
: one that is in some respect segregated ; especially : one that differs genetically from the parental line because of genetic segregation