The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook

✔ Add 3,700 must-know words to your vocabulary.

✔ All-in-one: dictionary, thesaurus, & workbook.

✔ 147 categorized lessons, 428 practical activities.

✔ Suitable for students & professionals of all ages.

✔ Ideal preparation for: TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, CPE, BEC, PTE, FCE

Buy on Amazon

4.8

Improve Your Vocabulary Today!

disengage

verb

/ˌdɪs ɛnˈgeɪdʒ/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of disengage

To withdraw, detach or free from a particular situation, relationship, or physical connection.
"The gears failed to disengage properly, causing the machine to malfunction."

Detailed meaning of disengage

It involves separating or disconnecting oneself from an engagement, involvement, or attachment. Disengaging often entails disentangling or removing oneself from a state of entanglement, whether it be emotional, physical, or mental. This action can be deliberate, as in consciously choosing to disengage from a conversation or activity, or it can be a result of external factors or circumstances. Disengaging can be a way to create distance, gain independence, or discontinue one's participation in a given situation. It implies a conscious effort to detach oneself, break free, or release oneself from a previous commitment, interaction, or entwined state.

Example sentences containing disengage

1. The pilot had to disengage the autopilot system to manually control the aircraft.
2. Sarah decided to disengage from the toxic relationship for the sake of her own well-being.
3. The athlete had to disengage from the competition due to an injury.
4. After hours of intense discussion, they agreed to disengage and revisit the topic later.
5. The teacher asked the students to disengage from their electronic devices and focus on the lesson.
6. It took a lot of effort for him to disengage from his addiction and start a new chapter in life.

History and etymology of disengage

The verb 'disengage' has its etymological origins in the early 17th century. It is formed by combining the prefix 'dis-' and the word 'engage.' The prefix 'dis-' is derived from Latin and signifies separation or reversal. The term 'engage' itself comes from the Middle French word 'engager,' which means 'to pledge' or 'to bind.' 'Engage' can be traced back to the Old French 'engagier,' where 'en' means 'in' or 'into,' and 'gager' means 'to pledge.' Therefore, when exploring the etymology of 'disengage,' it conveys the idea of withdrawing, detaching, or freeing from a particular situation, relationship, or physical connection, emphasizing the notion of reversing or separating from a previous commitment or involvement.

Quiz: Find the meaning of the verb disengage:

answer1

answer2

answer3

answer4

Try Again!

Correct!

Continue Quiz

Further usage examples of disengage

1. The security guard quickly disengaged the alarm system to prevent a false alarm.
2. She pressed the button to disengage the lock and open the door.
3. The negotiators failed to reach an agreement and decided to disengage from the negotiation process.
4. The employee was instructed to disengage from personal conversations and focus on work.
5. The clutch pedal allows the driver to disengage the engine from the transmission while shifting gears.
6. He had to disengage the safety lock to fire the weapon.
7. The negotiator tried to disengage from the tense conversation.
8. It's important to disengage the power source before repairs.
9. She wanted to disengage from her toxic friendship.
10. The clutch allows you to disengage the car's engine.
11. He had to disengage from work to focus on his health.
12. The company decided to disengage from that risky venture.
13. They tried to disengage from the contractual obligations.
14. The therapist helped them disengage from their past trauma.
15. It's difficult to disengage from an addictive behavior.
16. He needed to disengage from the emotional turmoil.
17. She tried to disengage from the chaotic family dynamics.
18. The pilot had to disengage the autopilot system.
19. He couldn't disengage from the gripping novel.
20. Disengaging from social media can be liberating.
21. The clutch pedal allows you to disengage the transmission.
22. The team decided to disengage from the contentious debate.
23. She tried to disengage from her demanding job.
24. The couple needed to disengage from their constant arguments.
25. He had to disengage from the high-stress project for a while.