detach

[dih-tach]

verb (used with object)

1. to unfasten and separate; disengage; disunite.

2. Military.,  to send away (a regiment, ship, etc.) on a special mission.

detach

/ dɪˈtætʃ /

verb

1. to disengage and separate or remove, as by pulling; unfasten; disconnect

2. military to separate (a small unit) from a larger, esp for a special assignment

Other Word Forms

• detachable adjective
• detachability noun
• detachably adverb
• detacher noun
• nondetachability noun
• nondetachable adjective
• predetach verb (used with object)
• self-detaching adjective
• undetachable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of detach¹

1470–80; < Middle French détacher, Old French destachier; dis- ¹, attach

Word History and Origins

Origin of detach¹

C17: from Old French destachier, from des- _dis- ¹ + attachier to _attach

Example Sentences

He pointed to several signs indicating that valuations have become detached from fundamentals.

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Part of this is Ohtani, a legend in real time, who plays with joy and enthusiasm and is the exact opposite of the cold, detached superstar.

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These included an “underground vault, subterranean parking, an attached subterranean ‘wellness center’ and a detached guardhouse,” according to documents reviewed by People magazine.

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As each fragment detaches, it can open "slab windows" where hot mantle material rises toward the surface, creating bursts of volcanic activity.

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Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has said her department is "not yet fit for purpose" after an internal report labelled it dysfunctional and detached from its core functions.

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Related Words

• disassemble 
• disengage 
• disentangle 
• dissociate 
• isolate 
• segregate 
• separate 
• sever