AskDefine | Define detachment

Dictionary Definition



1 avoiding emotional involvement [syn: withdrawal]
2 the act of releasing from an attachment or connection [syn: disengagement]
3 the state of being isolated or detached; "the insulation of England was preserved by the English Channel" [syn: insulation, insularity, insularism]
4 a small unit of troops of special composition
5 coming apart [syn: separation, breakup]

User Contributed Dictionary



From détachement


  1. The action of detaching; separation.
  2. The state of being detached or disconnected; insulation.
  3. Indifference to the concerns of others; aloofness.
  4. Absence of bias; impartiality; objectivity.
  5. The separation of a military unit from the main body for particular purpose or a special mission.
  6. The unit so dispatched.
  7. A permanent unit organized for special duties.
  8. Any smaller portion of a main body separately employed.


military unit

Extensive Definition

Detachment is a state in which a person overcomes his or her attachment to desire for things, people or concepts of the world and thus attains a heightened perspective. Detachment as release from desire and consequently from suffering is an important principle in Hinduism, Buddhism, the Bahá'í Faith and Kabbalah.
The Hindu view of detachment requires further explanation. It comes from the understanding of the nature of existence and the true ultimate state sought is that of being in the moment. In other words, while one is responsible and active, one does not worry about the past or future. The detachment is towards the result of ones actions rather than towards everything in life.
Lao Tzu's "Tao Te Ching" expressed the concept (in chapter 44) as:
detachment in Danish: Eskadrille

Synonyms, Antonyms and Related Words

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