The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Detach \De*tach"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Detached; p. pr. & vb.
n. Detaching.] [F. d['e]tacher (cf. It. distaccare,
staccare); pref. d['e] (L. dis) + the root found also in E.
attach. See Attach, and cf. Staccato.]
1. To part; to separate or disunite; to disengage; -- the
opposite of attach; as, to detach the coats of a bulbous
root from each other; to detach a man from a leader or
from a party.
[1913 Webster]
2. To separate for a special object or use; -- used
especially in military language; as, to detach a ship from
a fleet, or a company from a regiment.
Syn: To separate; disunite; disengage; sever; disjoin;
withdraw; draw off. See Detail.
[1913 Webster]