What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Peel vs Detach - What's the difference?

peel | detach |

As verbs the difference between peel and detach

is that peel is to remove the skin or outer covering of while detach is to take apart from; to take off.

As a noun peel

is the skin or outer layer of a fruit, vegetable, etc.

As a proper noun Peel

is a town on the Isle of Man.

peel

English

Etymology 1

(etyl) .

Verb

(en verb)
  • To remove the skin or outer covering of.
  • I sat by my sister's bed, peeling oranges for her.
  • * Shakespeare
  • The skillful shepherd peeled me certain wands.
  • To remove from the outer or top layer of.
  • I peeled (the skin from) an orange and ate it hungrily.
    We peeled the old wallpaper off in strips where it was hanging loose.
  • To become detached, come away, especially in flakes or strips; to shed skin in such a way.
  • I had been out in the sun too long, and my nose was starting to peel .
  • To remove one's clothing.
  • The children peeled by the side of the lake and jumped in.
  • To move, separate (off or away)
  • The scrum-half peeled off and made for the touchlines.
    Synonyms
    * (remove outer covering) skin, strip * (remove clothing) disrobe, strip
    Derived terms
    * peel off * peel out * keep one's eyes peeled (i.e. with eyelids open) * peeler

    Noun

  • The skin or outer layer of a fruit, vegetable, etc.
  • The action of peeling away from a formation.
  • (label) cosmetic preparation designed to remove dead skin or exfoliate.
  • Synonyms
    * (skin of a fruit) rind, zest
    Derived terms
    * orange peel * peel strength

    Etymology 2

    (etyl) and (etyl) pel (compare modern French pieu), from (etyl) .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete) A stake.
  • (obsolete) A fence made of stakes; a stockade.
  • (archaic) A small tower, fort, or castle; a keep.
  • Derived terms
    * peel-house, peelhouse * peel-tower

    Etymology 3

    From (etyl) pele (compare modern (pelle)), from (etyl) pala, from the base of .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A shovel or similar instrument, now especially a pole with a flat disc at the end used for removing loaves of bread from a baker's oven.
  • A T-shaped implement used by printers and bookbinders for hanging wet sheets of paper on lines or poles to dry.
  • (archaic, US) The blade of an oar.
  • Etymology 4

    Origin unknown.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (Scotland, and, curling) An equal or match; a draw.
  • (curling) A takeout which removes a stone from play as well as the delivered stone.
  • Etymology 5

    Named from Walter H. Peel, a noted 19th-century croquet player.

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (croquet) To send through a hoop (of a ball other than one's own).
  • Etymology 6

    Misspelling of peal.

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • : to sound loudly.
  • * 1825 June 25, "My Village Bells", in The Circulator of Useful Knowledge, Literature, Amusement, and General Information'' number XXVI, available in, 1825, ''The Circulator of Useful Amusement, Literature, Science, and General Information , page 401,
  • Oh ! still for me let merry bells peel out their holy chime;
  • * 1901 January 1, "Twentieth Century's Triumphant Entry", , page 1,
  • The lights flashed, the crowds sang,... bells peeled , bombs thundered,... and the new Century made its triumphant entry.
  • * 2006 , Miles Richardson, Being-In-Christ and Putting Death in Its Place , , ISBN 0807132047, pages 230–231,
  • As the tiny Virgin... approaches one of the barrio churches, bells peel vigorously, a brass band launches into a fast-paced tune, and large rockets zoom... .

    Etymology 7

    (etyl) .

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (archaic) To plunder; to pillage, rob.
  • * Milton
  • But govern ill the nations under yoke, / Peeling their provinces.

    detach

    English

    Verb

    (es)
  • To take apart from; to take off.
  • to detach the tag from a newly purchased garment
  • (military) To separate for a special object or use.
  • to detach a ship from a fleet, or a company from a regiment

    Antonyms

    * attach

    Derived terms

    * detachable * detachment