1. (v. t.) 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. (v. t.) 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.

3. (v. i.) To push asunder; to come off or separate from anything; to disengage.

abstract accredit assign authorize break up call up cast off charge charter commandeer commission commit conscript consign cut off deactivate debrief delegate demob demobilize depute deputize detach for service detail devolute devolve devolve upon disaffiliate disassemble disband discharge disconnect disengage disentangle disintegrate disjoin dismantle dismember dismiss dismount disorganize disperse dissociate dissolve disunite divorce doff draft empower enlist enroll entrust free give in charge go separate ways impress induct join let go levy liberate license list loose loosen mission mobilize muster muster in muster out part part company post press raise recruit release remove scatter send out separate sever sign on sign up split up summon sunder take apart take off transfer unbar unbind unbolt unbuckle unbutton unchain unclasp uncouple undo unfasten unfetter unglue unlace unlatch unleash unlock unloose unloosen unstick unstrap untie warrant weigh anchor