n. [ Cf. F. détachement. ] 1. The act of detaching or separating, or the state of being detached. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. That which is detached; especially, a body of troops or part of a fleet sent from the main body on special service. [ 1913 Webster ] Troops . . . widely scattered in little detachments. Bancroft. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Abstraction from worldly objects; renunciation. [ 1913 Webster ] A trial which would have demanded of him a most heroic faith and the detachment of a saint. J. H. Newman. [ 1913 Webster ] |