set apart

Verb

set apart (third-person singular simple present sets apart, present participle setting apart, simple past and past participle set apart)

1. (transitive) To select (something or someone) for a specific purpose.

   Synonyms:

   appropriate

2. (transitive) To distinguish, make obvious the distinction between (two things) or of (something).
   • It is one of the ironies of capital cities that each acts as a symbol of its nation, and yet few are even remotely representative of it. London has always set itself apart from the rest of Britain — but political, economic and social trends are conspiring to drive that wedge deeper.2013 September 28, Kenan Malik, “London Is Special, but Not That Special”, in New York Times, retrieved 28 Sep 2013
   • "This is a particularly good example of a timber railway station, with its Royal connection giving rise to some outstanding internal and external detailing. The swan-necked iron lamps, the porte-cochère and outstanding decoration in the Royal waiting room set the station apart."2022 June 29, Dr Joseph Brennan, “Wonderful waiting rooms on the waiting list”, in RAIL, number 960, pages 59–60

   Synonyms:

   discriminate

3. (transitive) Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: to separate or isolate.

   Synonyms:

   dedicate, distinguish, allocate, shelve, assign, detach, designate, earmark, preselect, put aside

4. (Mormonism, transitive) To perform a blessing which formally invests a person with authority to serve in a calling or leadership position, typically by laying on of hands.
   • As I sat in fast and testimony meeting last week a sister in the congregation got up and talked about what it means to be set apart as a missionary..2009 November 8, Kristine Frederickson, “Remembering what 'set apart' means”, in Deseret News, Deseret News Publishing Co.