1. a feeling of emotional freedom resulting from a lack of involvement in a problem or situation or with a person.

2. objectivity: that is, the ability to consider a problem on its merits alone. Also called intellectual detachment.

3. in developmental psychology, the child’s desire to have new experiences and develop new skills. This occurs at about 2 years of age, as the child begins to outgrow the period of total attachment to and dependence on the parent or caregiver.