disengage

verb

• 1 [with object] separate or release (someone or something) from something to which they are attached or connected:I disengaged his hand from mine they clung together for a moment, then she disengaged herself
• [no object] become released:the clutch will not disengage

• 2 [with object] remove (troops) from an area of conflict:the ceasefire gave the commanders a chance to disengage their forces [no object]:plans were already afoot for the Americans to disengage from the city

• 3 [no object] Fencing pass the point of one’s sword over or under the opponent’s sword to change the line of attack.

noun

• a disengaging movement.