separador

Separador is a noun used in Portuguese and Spanish to denote an element, device, or symbol that divides or isolates components within a system. The term covers a wide range of objects and concepts, from tangible parts in machines to markers that delineate sections in processes or texts.

In computing and data handling, a separator is any character or sequence that divides fields or values. Common examples include the comma, semicolon, tab, or pipe used in delimited files such as CSV or TSV. In number formatting, the decimal separator and the thousands separator are types of separators; regional conventions vary, with the decimal comma used in many Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking locales and the decimal point or space used elsewhere.

In industrial and engineering contexts, separators are devices that separate mixtures into distinct components or phases. Examples include gravity separators, cyclonic separators, magnetic separators, and oil-water or gas-liquid separators used in processing plants, mining, and environmental engineering. Their operation relies on differences in properties such as density or magnetism to achieve separation.

In architecture, design, and publishing, separadores or separators may refer to physical dividers such as screens or panels that partition space, or to spacers used to organize items within packaging, displays, or shelves. The term also appears in publishing as separator pages or markers that indicate the start of a new section.