separate maintenance

Separate \Sep"a*rate\, p. a. [L. separatus, p. p. ]
   1. Divided from another or others; disjoined; disconnected;
      separated; -- said of things once connected.
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            Him that was separate from his brethren. --Gen.
                                                  xlix. 26.
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   2. Unconnected; not united or associated; distinct; -- said
      of things that have not been connected.
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            For such an high priest became us, who is holy,
            harmless, undefiled, separate from sinnere. --Heb.
                                                  vii. 26.
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   3. Disunited from the body; disembodied; as, a separate
      spirit; the separate state of souls.
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   {Separate estate} (Law), an estate limited to a married woman
      independent of her husband.

   {Separate maintenance} (Law), an allowance made to a wife by
      her husband under deed of separation.
      [1913 Webster] -- {Sep"a*rate*ly}, adv. --
      {Sep"a*rate*ness}, n.
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SEPARATE MAINTENANCE, contracts. An allowance made by a husband to his wife 
for her separate support and maintenance. 
     2. When this allowance is regularly paid, and notice of it has been 
given, no person who has received such notice will be entitled to recover 
against the husband for necessaries furnished to the wife, because the 
liability of the husband, depends on a presumption of authority delegated by 
him to the wife, which is negatived by the facts of the case. 2 Stark. Ev. 
699.