Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Disengage
Disˊen-gage′
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Disengaged
(#)
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Disengaging
.] [Pref.
dis-
+ engage
: cf. F. désengager
.] 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.
Syn. – To liberate; free; loose; extricate; clear; disentangle; detach; withdraw; wean.
Disˊen-gage′
,Verb.
I.
To release one’s self; to become detached; to free one's self.
From a friends's grave how soon we
disengage
! Young.
Webster 1828 Edition
Disengage
DISENGAGE
,Verb.
T.
1.
To separate, as a substance from any thing with which it is in union; to free; to loose; to liberate; as, to disengage a metal from extraneous substances.Caloric and light must be disengaged during the process.
2.
To separate from that to which one adheres, or is attached; as, to disengage a man from a party.3.
To disentangle; to extricate; to clear from impediments, difficulties or perplexities; as, to disengage one from broils or controversies.4.
To detach; to withdraw; to wean; as, to disengage the heart or affections from earthly pursuits.5.
To free from any thing that commands the mind, or employs the attention; as, to disengage the mind from study; to disengage ones self from business.6.
To release or liberate from a promise or obligation; to set free by dissolving an engagement; as, the men, who were enlisted, are now disengaged; the lady, who had promised to give her hand in marriage, is disengaged. Let it be observed that disengaged properly implies previous engagement; and is not to be confounded with unengaged, which does not always imply prior engagement. This distinction is sometimes carelessly overlooked.