disengage definition | Dictionary.com

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Synonyms of disengage

loose, loosen, slip, unbind, unclasp, unfasten, unloose, unloosen, untie, disconnect, uncouple, abstract

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disengage

6 dictionary results for: disengage

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

dis·en·gage

[dis-en-geyj] Pronunciation Key verb, -gaged, -gag·ing.

–verb (used with object)

1.	to release from attachment or connection; loosen; unfasten: to disengage a clutch.

2.	to free (oneself) from an engagement, pledge, obligation, etc.: He accepted the invitation, but was later forced to disengage himself.

3.	Military. to break off action with (an enemy).

–verb (used without object)

4.	to become disengaged; free oneself.

[Origin: 1605–15; < MF desengager, equiv. to des- dis-¹ + engager to engage

]

—Related forms

dis·en·gag·ed·ness

[dis-en-gey-jid-nis, -geyjd-] Pronunciation Key, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

dis·en·gage   (dĭs'ěn-gāj') Pronunciation Key
v.   dis·en·gaged, dis·en·gag·ing, dis·en·gag·es

v.   tr.

To release from something that holds fast, connects, or entangles. See Synonyms at extricate.
To release (oneself) from an engagement, pledge, or obligation.

v. intr.
To free or detach oneself; withdraw.

dis'en·gage'ment n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
disengage

1603 in fig. sense; 1662 in lit. sense of "detach," from dis- "do the opposite of" (see dis-) + engage (q.v.).

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

disengage
verb
1.	release from something that holds fast, connects, or entangles; "I want to disengage myself from his influence"; "disengage the gears" [ant: engage]
2.	free or remove obstruction from; "free a path across the cluttered floor" [syn: free] [ant: block]
3.	become free; "in neutral, the gears disengage" [ant: engage]

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Disengage

Dis`en*gage"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Disengaged; p. pr. & vb. n. Disengaging.] [Pref. dis- + engage: cf. F. d['e]sengager.] To release from that with which anything is engaged, engrossed, involved, or entangled; to extricate; to detach; to set free; to liberate; to clear; as, to disengage one from a party, from broils and controversies, from an oath, promise, or occupation; to disengage the affections a favorite pursuit, the mind from study.

To disengage him and the kingdom, great sums were to be borrowed. --Milton.

Caloric and light must be disengaged during the process. --Transl. of Lavoisier.

Syn: To liberate; free; loose; extricate; clear; disentangle; detach; withdraw; wean.

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Disengage

Dis`en*gage"\, v. i. To release one's self; to become detached; to free one's self.

From a friends's grave how soon we disengage! --Young.

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