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detach

 - 4 dictionary results

de⋅tach

[di-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.

Origin:
1470–80; < MF détacher, OF destachier; see dis- 1 , attach


de⋅tach⋅a⋅ble, adjective
de⋅tach⋅a⋅bil⋅i⋅ty, noun
de⋅tach⋅a⋅bly, adverb
de⋅tach⋅er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To detach
de·tach   (dĭ-tāch')   
tr.v.   de·tached, de·tach·ing, de·tach·es
  1. To separate or unfasten; disconnect: detach a check from the checkbook; detach burs from one's coat.

  2. To remove from association or union with something: detach a calf from its mother; detached herself from the group.

  3. To send (troops or ships, for example) on a special mission.


[French détacher, from Old French destachier : des-, de- + attachier, to attach; see attach.]
de·tach'a·bil'i·ty n., de·tach'a·ble adj., de·tach'a·bly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

detach 
1684, from Fr. détacher, from O.Fr. destachier, from des- "apart" + attachier "attach" (see attach). Detachment "standing aloof from objects or circumstances" is from 1798.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

detach de·tach (dĭ-tāch')
v. de·tached, de·tach·ing, de·tach·es

  1. To separate or unfasten; disconnect.

  2. To remove from association or union with something.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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