Murray, now that those of us in the elite lexicographical police have tarred and feathered you, here is a little more from the OED. They admit seperate and separat as alternate spellings. In 1513 Bradshaw wrote: "Whan all the officers departed were thens Supposynge the soule seperate from the body." Don't know what he was talking about, but there you are, Murray. A quote from an "authority."