Words / C1

di-TACHM-uh-nt/dɪˈtætʃmənt/

Detachment is not being emotionally involved, or a small unit sent to a task: professional detachment, a detachment of officers. Distance is everyday; indifference is colder and often a fault; attach sits opposite. A rubric is impartiality; skipping an empty n is neglect.

Meaning

The state of not being emotionally involved; also a small military or work unit.

Examples

• “Detachment in marking is a rubric, not indifference to an empty n.”
• “Distance is everyday. Aloofness is manner. A military detachment is the unit sense. Fair marking names the clause. An empty cell is still a hole. Apply the rubric; still flag the missing count.”

Good to know

Emotional distance (or a small unit). Everyday: distance. Contrast: indifference (a fault). A rubric ≠ ignoring the n.

Near in meaning

impartiality

New