v.tr. 1 (often foll. by from) unfasten or disengage and remove (detached the buttons; detached himself from the group). 2 Mil. send (a ship, regiment, officer, messenger, etc.) on a separate mission. 3 (as detached adj.) a impartial; unemotional (a detached viewpoint). b (esp. of a house) not joined to another or others; separate. detachable adj. detachedly adv.
[ F détacher (as DE-, ATTACH) ]