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DETACHED
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I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Used of buildings; standing apart from others
Example:
a detached garage
Classified under:
Similar:
freestanding; separate (standing apart; not attached to or supported by anything)
semidetached (attached on one side only)
Domain category:
architecture (the discipline dealing with the principles of design and construction and ornamentation of fine buildings)
Antonym:
attached (used of buildings joined by common sidewalls)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Showing lack of emotional involvement
Example:
an uninvolved bystander
Synonyms:
degage; detached; uninvolved
Classified under:
Similar:
unconcerned (lacking in interest or care or feeling)
Sense 3
Meaning:
No longer connected or joined
Example:
the separated spacecraft will return to their home bases
Synonyms:
detached; separated
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
unconnected (not joined or linked together)
Sense 4
Meaning:
Not fixed in position
Example:
he pulled his arm free and ran
Synonyms:
detached; free
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
unfixed (not firmly placed or set or fastened)
Sense 5
Meaning:
Lacking affection or warm feeling
Example:
an uncaring person
Synonyms:
detached; unaffectionate; uncaring
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
unloving (not giving or reciprocating affection)
Sense 6
Meaning:
Being or feeling set or kept apart from others
Example:
had a set-apart feeling
Synonyms:
detached; isolated; separated; set-apart
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
separate (independent; not united or joint)
II. (verb)
Sense 1
Past simple / past participle of the verb detach
Context examples:
A type of osteochondritis in which articular cartilage and associated bone becomes partially or totally detached to form joint loose bodies.
(Osteochondritis Dissecans, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)
Because they can be prevented from drifting further away by high places in the ocean floor, they can in turn prevent land-associated ice masses from becoming detached.
(Scientists describe how 'upside-down rivers' of warm water break Antarctica's ice shelf, Wikinews)
A disorder characterized by persistent or recurrent episodes of feeling detached from one's self (either one's body or one's mental processes), although the sufferer remains aware that this is only a feeling and does not represent reality.
(Depersonalization Disorder, NCI Thesaurus)
This baby was one of twins; and I may remark here that I hardly ever, in all my experience of the family, saw both the twins detached from Mrs. Micawber at the same time.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
Their road to this detached cottage was down Vicarage Lane, a lane leading at right angles from the broad, though irregular, main street of the place; and, as may be inferred, containing the blessed abode of Mr. Elton.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
Could she be detached from them!—and sometimes I do not despair of it, for the affection appears to me principally on their side.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
I tried to scream and was vaguely aware of some hoarse croak which was my own voice, but distant and detached from myself.
(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
The whole skeleton was there, but the skull had detached itself and lay some feet nearer to the open.
(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
In Darcy's presence she dared not mention Wickham's name; but Elizabeth instantly comprehended that he was uppermost in her thoughts; and the various recollections connected with him gave her a moment's distress; but exerting herself vigorously to repel the ill-natured attack, she presently answered the question in a tolerably detached tone.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
All day long, and until seven or eight in the evening, Mr. Mell, at his own detached desk in the schoolroom, worked hard with pen, ink, ruler, books, and writing-paper, making out the bills (as I found) for last half-year.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
