disengage

[dis-en-geyj]

See more synonyms for disengage on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), dis·en·gaged, dis·en·gag·ing.

to release from attachment or connection; loosen; unfasten: to disengage a clutch.
to free (oneself) from an engagement, pledge, obligation, etc.: He accepted the invitation, but was later forced to disengage himself.
Military. to break off action with (an enemy).

verb (used without object), dis·en·gaged, dis·en·gag·ing.

to become disengaged; free oneself.

Origin of disengage

1605–15; < Middle French desengager, equivalent to des- dis-¹ + engager to engage

Related formsdis·en·gag·ed·ness

[dis-en-gey-jid-nis, -geyjd-] /ˌdɪs ɛnˈgeɪ dʒɪd nɪs, -ˈgeɪdʒd-/, nounself-dis·en·gag·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for disengage

Contemporary Examples

The regional players could disengage from the great game in Central Asia.
How to Repair the U.S. Pakistan Relationship
Bruce Riedel
June 4, 2012
It can disengage, but only at a terrible economic, political, and military cost.
America's Greatest Challenge
George Friedman
January 28, 2011

Historical Examples

When you make a pass, Sir, you must first disengage, and your body must be well turned.
The Middle Class Gentleman
Moliere
As he said this he gently strove to disengage himself from her hold.
Gomez Arias
Joaqun Telesforo de Trueba y Coso
We must disengage ourselves from the ideas which the customary use of words has implanted in us.
Theaetetus
Plato
Gently she sought to disengage her hand, the trouble in her face increasing.
Captain Blood
Rafael Sabatini
This time he resolved to go in on the fifth disengage, and in on that he went with the same ease.
Scaramouche
Rafael Sabatini

British Dictionary definitions for disengage

disengage

verb

to release or become released from a connection, obligation, etcpress the clutch to disengage the gears
military to withdraw (forces) from close action
fencing to move (one's blade) from one side of an opponent's blade to another in a circular motion to bring the blade into an open line of attack

Derived Formsdisengaged, adjective

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 disengage

v.

c.1600 in figurative sense; 1660s in literal sense of "detach," from dis- "do the opposite of" + engage (q.v.). Related: Disengaged; disengaging.

disengage

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}disengage

Examples from the Web for disengage

Contemporary Examples

The regional players could disengage from the great game in Central Asia.

It can disengage, but only at a terrible economic, political, and military cost.

Historical Examples

When you make a pass, Sir, you must first disengage, and your body must be well turned.

As he said this he gently strove to disengage himself from her hold.

We must disengage ourselves from the ideas which the customary use of words has implanted in us.

Gently she sought to disengage her hand, the trouble in her face increasing.

This time he resolved to go in on the fifth disengage, and in on that he went with the same ease.

disengage

Word Origin and History for disengage

v.

Origin of disengage