To disengage or release the clutch of a vehicle or machine; to disconnect a mechanical connection.
From de- 'reverse action' plus clutch (from Middle Dutch kluche, influenced by Middle English clucchen 'to seize'). Formed in the early 20th century as automobiles became common.
Declutch is a dying word as manual transmissions disappear—once every driver knew this action intimately, but today's automatic and electric vehicles make it obsolete. In a century, it might only live in engineering history books.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.