In
fencing, a disengage is an evasion of your opponent's attempted
parry--
you are counting on your opponent to try to stop your original attack.
You deftly move around their blade and switch your attack to a different
line than the one originally established.
It should ideally be as small a motion as possible, moving the point
of your blade in a half-circle around your opponent's bell guard and
into a different line of attack. If your blade touches your opponent's
guard while executing the movement, it is not considered a successful disengagement.
If you bring your arm back towards you during the movement, that is also
not considered a successful disengagement (by bringing your arm backwards
towards your body, your original attack is stopped and your second attack
to the new line is considered a remise).
It is a particularly effective move when fencing beginners, who generally
only expect attacks into their main line (their upper inside line, the
4 line).