set apart

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

1. To select (something or someone) for a specific purpose.
2. To distinguish, make obvious the distinction between (two things) or of (something).
   • 2013 September 28, Kenan Malik, “London Is Special, but Not That Special”, in New York Times‎^[1], retrieved 28 September 2013:

     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.

   • 2022 June 29, Dr Joseph Brennan, “Wonderful waiting rooms on the waiting list”, in RAIL, number 960, pages 59–60:

     "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."

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

• (select for a purpose): appropriate, dedicate; see also Thesaurus:set apart
• (distinguish): discriminate, distinguish; see also Thesaurus:tell apart
• (used literally): See also Thesaurus:segregate