Definition of the word apart

The word "apart" has a rich history dating back to Old English. It is derived from the phrase "a part", meaning "separate" or "distinct". This phrase is first recorded in the 9th century, and over time, the words "a" and "part" merged to form "apart". In Middle English (circa 11th-15th centuries), "apart" was used to describe something that was physically separate or distinct from others. For example, "The kingdom was divided into four apart regions". During this period, the word also developed its sense of emotional separation or detachment, as seen in phrases like "I was apart from my friends for many years". Today, "apart" can be used to describe both physical and emotional separation, and has become a fundamental part of the English language.