disengage
Americanverb (used with object)
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to release from attachment or connection; loosen; unfasten.
to disengage a clutch.
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to free (oneself ) from an engagement, pledge, obligation, etc..
He accepted the invitation, but was later forced to disengage himself.
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Military. to break off action with (an enemy).
verb (used without object)
verb
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to release or become released from a connection, obligation, etc
press the clutch to disengage the gears
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military to withdraw (forces) from close action
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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
Other Word Forms
- disengaged adjective
- disengagedness noun
- self-disengaging adjective
Etymology
Origin of disengage
1605–15; < Middle French desengager, equivalent to des- dis- 1 + engager to engage
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
These 10 surprising signals could mean it’s time to disengage from the workplace.
The following day, Marcos said he would "disengage" with the ICC.
From Reuters
Pitchers can only disengage from the rubber twice in each at-bat, meaning limited chances for pickoff attempts.
From Seattle Times
“At this point, we essentially are disengaging from any contact, from any communication, I guess, with the ICC.”
From Seattle Times
But it was quite the boost for what had been a quiet locker room and a disengaged home crowd of late.
From Washington Post
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
