disengage: Meaning and Definition of

dis•en•gage

Pronunciation: (dis"en-gāj'), [key]
— v., -gaged, -gag•ing.
—v.t.
  1. to release from attachment or connection; loosen; unfasten: to disengage a clutch.
  2. to free (oneself&hasp;) from an engagement, pledge, obligation, etc.: He accepted the invitation, but was later forced to disengage himself.
  3. to break off action with (an enemy).
—v.i.
  1. to become disengaged; free oneself.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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