detach

[ dih-tach ]

/ dɪˈtætʃ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR detach ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to unfasten and separate; disengage; disunite.

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

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of detach

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

Related forms

de·tach·a·ble, adjectivede·tach·a·bil·i·ty, nounde·tach·a·bly, adverbde·tach·er, noun

non·de·tach·a·bil·i·ty, nounnon·de·tach·a·ble, adjectivepre·de·tach, verb (used with object)self-de·tach·ing, adjectiveun·de·tach·a·ble, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for detachable

The bond between women and detachable showerheads, after all, is both a marriage of convenience and one of love.
I Tried Cosmo’s New Lesbian Sex Tips|Samantha Allen|November 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I have myself collected fossils in that district, where the shells are very entire, and detachable from the yellow sandy matrix.
A Manual of Elementary Geology|Charles Lyell.
By 1780, illustrations in surgical works showed that the bottom of the scarificator was detachable.
Bloodletting Instruments in the National Museum of History and Technology|Audrey Davis
The glass has a detachable lining of transparent celluloid which will hold water.
Water Wizardry|Arthur Ainslie

In the Curtiss VX engines, the valves are carried in detachable cages which may be removed when the valves need attention.
Aviation Engines|Victor Wilfred Pag
If desired, this card might be made with detachable coupons for the different operations.
Cyclopedia of Commerce, Accountancy, Business Administration v. 2|Various

British Dictionary definitions for detachable

detach

/ (dɪˈtætʃ) /

verb (tr)

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

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

Derived Formsdetachable, adjectivedetachability, noundetacher, noun

Word Origin for detach

C17: from Old French destachier, from des- dis- 1 + attachier to attach

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for detachable (1 of 2)

detachable

adj.

1818; see detach + -able.

Word Origin and History for detachable (1 of 2)

detach

1680s, from French détacher "to detach, untie," from Old French destachier, from des- "apart" + attachier "attach" (see attach). Related: Detached; detaching.

Medicine definitions for detachable

detach

[ dĭ-tăch′ ]

v.

To separate or unfasten; disconnect.

To remove from association or union with something.