Definition of segregate
segregated
;segregating
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
2 : to practice or enforce a policy of segregation
3 : to undergo genetic segregation
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Examples of segregate in a Sentence
The civil rights movement fought against practices that segregated blacks and whites.
Many states at that time continued to segregate public schools.
Did You Know?
The prefix se- means "apart", so when you segregate something you set it apart from the herd. The word typically means separating something undesirable from the healthy majority. During the apple harvest, damaged fruit is segregated from the main crop and used for cider. In prisons, hardened criminals are segregated from youthful offenders. Lepers used to be segregated from the general population because they were thought to be highly infectious. The opposite of segregate is often integrate, and the two words were in the news almost daily for decades as African-Americans struggled to be admitted into all-white schools and neighborhoods.
Origin and Etymology of segregate
Latin segregatus, past participle of segregare, from se- apart + greg-, grex herd — more at secede
First Known Use: 1542
Definition of segregate
: one that is in some respect segregated; especially : one that differs genetically from the parental line because of genetic segregation
1871
First Known Use of segregate
1871
SEGREGATE Defined for English Language Learners
segregate
playDefinition of segregate for English Language Learners
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: to separate groups of people because of their particular race, religion, etc.
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: to not allow people of different races to be together in (a place, such as a school)
SEGREGATE Defined for Kids
segregate
playDefinition of segregate for Students
segregated
;segregating
: to separate a race, class, or group from the rest of society
Word Root of segregate
The Latin word grex, meaning “flock,”and its form gregis give us the root greg. Words from the Latin grex have something to do with flocks or groups. Anyone gregarious, or social, enjoys being part of the flock. To congregate is to gather as a flock or crowd. To segregate is to separate away from others or away from the flock.
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of segregate
segregated
;segregating
: to undergo genetic segregation
Medical Definition of segregate
: an individual or class of individuals differing in one or more genetic characters from the parental line usually because of segregation of genes
Law Dictionary
segregate
playLegal Definition of segregate
segregated
segregating
transitive verb
intransitive verb
Learn More about segregate
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See words that rhyme with segregate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for segregate Spanish Central: Translation of segregate Nglish: Translation of segregate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of segregate for Arabic speakers
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