detach

Everyday

1. To separate one thing from another thing it is fixed to, as in «detach the coupon». tree →
2. To come off by itself, as in «the handle detached». tree →
3. To stop feeling involved; a «detached» person stays calm and not emotional. tree →
4. (army) To send a group of soldiers away for a special job. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life you «detach» a form along a dotted line or a part of a toy. In science, a retina or a leaf can detach. In UK housing, a «detached house» stands alone; a «semi-detached» house is joined to one other. In stories, a «detached» character seems cold or far away in feeling.

Examples

• Detach the slip along the dotted line and give it to your teacher. tree →
• The trailer detached from the car on the hill. tree →
• You can detach the hood from this coat. tree →
• We live in a semi-detached house. tree →
• She felt strangely detached, as if she were watching a film. tree →
• The captain detached ten soldiers to guard the bridge. tree →

Note

Spelling trap: «detach» has no t before ch (not «detatch»). Opposite: «attach». Regular verb: detached, detaching.