detachment

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The action of detaching; separation.

   But the horse has left his mark, for his successor is a mechanical horse designed to a large extent to copy the leading characteristics of the live horse; easy attachment to or detachment from its load, a small turning circle, a small appetite for petrol, but giving a much higher acceleration and speed, and so capable of much greater distances, so that fewer cartage units are required.

2. 2
   noun

   The unit so dispatched.

   Vietnamese sovereignty over the Paracels dated back at least to the early 19th century, when Emperor Gia-Long sent a detachment to Hoang Sa Island, it remained until the establishment of French protectorate over Annam, when France assumed responsibility for the islands.

3. 3
   noun

   the act of releasing from an attachment or connection

4. 4
   noun

   coming apart

5. 5
   noun

   avoiding emotional involvement

6. 6
   noun

   a small unit of troops of special composition

7. 7
   noun

   the state of being isolated or detached

8. 8
   noun

   The state of being detached or disconnected; insulation.

Etymology

From French détachement. By surface analysis, detach + -ment.