disengage
[ dis-en-geyj ]
/ ˌdɪs ɛnˈgeɪdʒ /
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.
RELATED WORDS
disconnect, disentangle, extricate, dissociate, withdraw, detach, liberate, loosen, disjoin, divide, disassociate, separate, ease, loose, unbind, undo, uncouple, untie, unloose, disunite
Nearby words
disenchanted, disenchantment, disencumber, disendow, disenfranchise, disengage, disengaged, disengagement, disenroll, disentail, disentangle
Origin of disengage
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. 2019
Examples from the Web for disengage
British Dictionary definitions for disengage
disengage
/ (ˌdɪsɪnˈɡeɪdʒ) /
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
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Word Origin and History for disengage
disengage
c.1600 in figurative sense; 1660s in literal sense of "detach," from dis- "do the opposite of" + engage (q.v.). Related: Disengaged; disengaging.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper