segregates

Segregates is primarily the third-person singular present tense of the verb segregate, meaning to separate people or things into distinct groups. In some contexts the term may appear as a noun in the plural form, used informally to refer to individuals or groups who have been subjected to separation under policy or practice. This noun usage is relatively uncommon and is often replaced by phrases such as segregated groups or segregated facilities.

The word derives from Latin segregare, from se- meaning apart and grege meaning flock or crowd, through Old and Middle French and early modern English development. The core sense has long been to set apart or isolate elements within a larger whole, with social, political, or administrative applications becoming more prominent over time.

Historically, segregation has most often been discussed in relation to social and civic arrangements that physically or institutionally separate people by race, ethnicity, religion, caste, gender, or other characteristics. Examples include legal racial segregation in some parts of the United States, apartheid systems in South Africa, and caste-based or religiously defined separation in various regions. In contemporary discourse, segregation can be formal—enacted by law—or informal, arising from housing patterns, education enrollment, or cultural practices. The term is frequently encountered in discussions about civil rights and social justice.

Legal and ethical considerations surrounding segregation center on equality and non-discrimination. Many jurisdictions have enacted laws to prohibit mandated separation and promote desegregation, while debates continue about the persistence of de facto segregation and its impact on access to education, employment, and civic participation. See also segregation, desegregation, civil rights, and related historical contexts.