In legal terms, what word means separate or distinct?

The term that means separate or distinct in a legal context is "several." This word is commonly used in legal documents to denote that each entity or item is considered independently from others. For example, when referring to "several parties," it indicates that each party is distinct and separate in their rights and obligations.

While "individual" also conveys a sense of separateness, it typically emphasizes singularity or personhood rather than the distinctness required in legal contexts. "Unique" refers more to the one-of-a-kind nature of something, without necessarily implying separation from others. "Separate" is a synonym for distinct, but in legal terminology, "several" specifically captures the independent nature of multiple entities or subjects distinctly and is often employed in legal texts to clarify that each item or party stands alone in contrast to a collective meaning.