dégager

Dégager is a French verb with a range of meanings, broadly related to freeing something, making something clear, or becoming visible. Its most common uses translate to "to free," "to release," or "to disengage." For example, one might dégager a car stuck in mud, meaning to free it. In a figurative sense, it can mean to liberate oneself from a responsibility or a difficult situation.

Another significant meaning of dégager pertains to making something clear or distinct. This can apply to physical objects, such as dégager a view by clearing away obstructions, or to abstract concepts, like dégager une idée, which means to make an idea clear. In art, it can refer to the way forms stand out from their background.

The verb also signifies a movement away or a withdrawal. For instance, a soldier might dégager a position, meaning to withdraw from it. In social contexts, dégager can mean to move aside or make space. The past participle, dégagé, can be used as an adjective, often describing someone who is uninhibited, relaxed, or free from social constraints. The specific nuance of dégager depends heavily on the context in which it is used.