following the 連用形 (ren'yōkei, “continuative or stem form”) of a verb, indicates the state of the affixed verb or phrase: compare English just as

shapes

distinction, difference / classification

to distinguish, to tell one thing from another / to classify

a surname

alternative/alternate solution/answer

another dimension, another level

different character

parting, parting ways

“separate stomach”: appetite or ability to continue eating after a meal: a hollow leg / “separate belly”: in reference to siblings who share the same father but have different mothers