De‐tach″ (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Detached (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Detaching.] [F. détacher (cf. It. distaccare, staccare); pref. dé (L. dis) + the root found also in E. attach. See Attach, and cf. Staccato.] 1. To part; to separate or disunite; to disengage; — the opposite of attach; as, to detach the coats of a bulbous root from each other; to detach a man from a leader or from a party.
2. To separate for a special object or use; — used especially in military language; as, to detach a ship from a fleet, or a company from a regiment.
Syn. — To separate; disunite; disengage; sever; disjoin; withdraw; draw off. See Detail.