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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
deactivate \de*ac"ti*vate\, verb (used with an object)
1. To make inactive; to render ineffective; as, to deactivate a bomb; to deactivate a machine; to deactivate the alarm.
Note: The deactivation of a machine or device is usually a reversible process; switching off an electrical device may be referred to as deactivation. To render an enzyme or catalyst ineffective is more commonly referred to as to {inactivate}. [PJC]
2. To disband (a military unit, or other group); to discontinue (a group activity); as, to deactivate the regiment; to deactivate the investigation. [PJC]
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
deactivate
verb
1: remove from active military status or reassign; "The men were deactivated after five years of service"
2: make inactive; "they deactivated the file" [syn: {inactivate}] [ant: {activate}]
From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:
26 Moby Thesaurus words for "deactivate": break up, debrief, decommission, demilitarize, demob, demobilize, detach, disarm, disband, discharge, disintegrate, dismiss, disorganize, disperse, dissolve, go separate ways, let go, muster out, part, part company, reconvert, release, scatter, separate, sheathe the sword, split up
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Definitions retrieved from local copies of the freely distributed DICT client/server software and databases. Click here for database copyright information. - KM |