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disengaged

disengaged

4.4
Not physically connected or locked so parts can move apart
  • adjective
  • /ˌdɪsɪnˈɡeɪdʒd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : desacoplado
  • The engineer confirmed that the gears were disengaged to prevent any accidental operation during maintenance.

Examples

  • Before cleaning the machine, make sure it is disengaged from the power supply.

  • Yet citizens appear to operate at a considerable distance from their representatives and appear disengaged from democratic processes.

  • After the battle, the troops were disengaged from their positions to regroup and rest.

Synonyms

unmoored
vsdisengaged
3 7.0

Not held in place and often feels unstable or uncertain

refers to release from engagement rather than loss of stability
detached
vsdisengaged
2 4.3

Something loose and not fixed to the thing it belongs to

is about being released from engagement often of machine parts
unattached
vsdisengaged
2 4.2

Not fixed to anything so it can move freely

focuses on being released from engagement or a locking mechanism
uncoupled
vsdisengaged
1 4.9

Not joined to something it was attached to before

is used especially for parts released from engagement in machines
unassociated
vsdisengaged
1 4.9

Not connected or related to something else, like two separate events

is about physical release from engagement rather than abstract unrelatedness
ungeared
vsdisengaged
  • Specialized
9.3

Not connected to the parts that make a machine move

applies more broadly to parts released from engagement not only gears
disjoined
vsdisengaged
7.1

Separated so parts are not connected anymore

focuses on parts released from engagement especially in machinery
unfastened
vsdisengaged
2.4

Not tied, closed, or attached

is used for parts released from engagement or locking in mechanisms
unjoined
vsdisengaged
5.4

Not connected to another thing, like a beam or wire

implies a release from engagement particularly relating to mechanisms
unanchored
vsdisengaged
6.4

Not attached or held in place so it can move

emphasizes release from engagement or unlocking in machinery
separated
vsdisengaged
  • Specialized
5.3

A joint forced apart so the bones are not in their normal place

is about parts released from engagement not medical dislocation

How Connected

connected
2.5
attached
3.1
unlocked
1 1.0
disengaged
  • Specialized
4.4
loose
155 1.0
separated
1.0

Surface Forms

disengaged positive

Morphology

disengaged = disengage (transparent) = dis + engage + ed

This is a regular participial adjective built from the verb 'disengage'.

Etymology

Disengaged uses dis- 'not' with engage meaning 'to lock together or connect', a sense you still hear in the phrase 'engage the gears'. So when a machine is disengaged, its parts are 'not connected' or released.