Separate applies both to putting apart and to keeping apart Separate 意指放置为相隔的和保持相隔的： 例句：“In the darkness and confusion, the bands of these commanders became separated from each other” (Washington Irving). “在黑夜或混乱中，那帮指挥者互相分离” （华盛顿·欧文）。 The Pyrenees separate France and Spain. 比利牛斯将法国和西班牙分开。 The child's parents have separated. 这孩子的父母已经分居了。 Divide implies separation by or as if by cutting, splitting, or branching into parts, portions, or shares; the term is often used to refer to separation into opposing or hostile groups: Divide 暗示通过或好象通过切开、劈开或分割形成几部分、几份额或几份来分离；这个词经常用来指分离成相对的或敌对的组： 例句：We divided the orange into segments. 我们将橘子分成几部分。 “[The rich] divide with the poor the produce of all their improvements” (Adam Smith). “ 和穷人分了他们增产的所有农产品” （亚当·史密斯）。 “‘A house divided against itself cannot stand.’ I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free” (Abraham Lincoln). “‘分裂的房子不能维持原状’。我相信这个政府不会容忍永久的半奴半自由的存在”。 （亚伯拉罕·林肯）
