Apartar

Apartar is a Spanish verb that generally means to move something away from its place, to separate, or to set aside. It can describe a physical action, such as moving a chair out of the way, as well as a figurative one, such as isolating, detaching, or excluding a person or thing from a group or activity.

The main uses include: moving objects physically to create space; reserving or earmarking resources or funds; distancing or removing someone from a situation or organization; or distinguishing or excluding ideas or topics from consideration. In some contexts it also conveys the sense of withdrawing or removing someone from participation or influence.

Examples illustrate its versatility: “Aparta la silla para que nadie tropiece.” (Move the chair aside so no one trips.) “La empresa apartó un presupuesto para investigación.” (The company set aside a budget for research.) “El entrenador apartó al jugador del equipo por el resto de la temporada.” (The coach benched the player for the rest of the season.) “Se ha apartar del tema para evitar el conflicto.” (He has moved away from the topic to avoid conflict.)

Etymology: apartar comes from the prefix a- meaning away, combined with a root related to partir o partirse, indicating separation or division. Related forms include apartarse (to move away or detach oneself) and synonyms such as distanciar, excluir, and apartar from a group or topic.