To shape by removing — cutting the true form out of the whole; in this house, the separation of spine from identity.

Made for one case rather than for all. Also a practice repeated until it became expected — both senses are about what a particular group does.

A mark that separates one part from the next. It adds nothing to either side and makes both legible.

To take a thing out of where it was. Removal is a decision about belonging, and should leave a trace.

To set apart what was together. Separation is a judgment about where the boundary truly falls.

To cut away the excess at the edges — tidying that respects the body; whitespace's barber.