disengage Meaning, Definition & Usage

verb release from something that holds fast, connects, or entangles
withdraw.
- I want to disengage myself from his influence
- disengage the gears
verb free or remove obstruction from
free.
- free a path across the cluttered floor
verb become free
- in neutral, the gears disengage

Pref. dis- + engage: cf. F. désengager.

imperfect & past participle Disengaged present participle & verbal noun Disengaging

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.

To release one's self; to become detached; to free one's self.
From a friends's grave how soon we disengage! Young.