Words / B2

di-TACH-uh-bl/dɪˈtætʃəbl/

Detachable means able to be removed and put back: a detachable hood; detachable strap. Detach is the verb; removable is a close twin; separate is broader. A detachable part in the DT spec still needs the fastening type. Mix-up: detachable vs attachable; detectable; do not write detachable for a part that is glued permanently in the source.

Meaning

Able to be removed and put back (a detachable hood).

Examples

• “A detachable part in the DT spec still needs the fastening type, not a catalogue slogan.”
• “A detachable cable featured in the kit list, which is still a named connector — quote the type if given.”

Good to know

a detachable hood / strap / lead. Verb: detach. Close: removable / separable. Trap: detectable / a glued part. DT and textiles. Able to come off and go back — name the fastening.

Near in meaning

removable, separable, take-off

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