Definition of detach

The word "detach" has its roots in the 14th century, derived from the Old French word "détacher," which means "to loosen" or "to untie." This Old French word is itself derived from the Latin "des-tachare," which is a combination of "de-" (meaning "from" or "away") and "tachare" (meaning "to tie" or "to bind"). In Middle English, the verb "detach" meant "to separate from something or someone," and its sense has expanded over time to include meanings such as "to take away from a connection or attachment" and "to disengage from something." Today, the word "detach" is commonly used in a variety of contexts, including physics (to detach an object from a surface), business (to detach an employee from their role), and psychology (to detach oneself from emotions). Interestingly, the word "detach" has also been used as a military term, dating back to the 16th century, when it referred to the act of sending troops to an enemy's army from their own forces.