First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
discrete
adjective dis·crete \dis-ˈkrēt, ˈdis-ˌ\
: separate and different from each other
Full Definition of DISCRETE
1
: constituting a separate entity : individually distinct <several discrete sections>
2
a : consisting of distinct or unconnected elements : noncontinuous b : taking on or having a finite or countably infinite number of values <discrete probabilities> <a discrete random variable>
— dis·crete·ly adverb
— dis·crete·ness noun
See discrete defined for English-language learners
See discrete defined for kids
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Examples of DISCRETE
- The idea is to disconnect the memory from the reactions to the memory, so that although the memory of the traumatic event remains, the everyday things that can trigger fear and panic, such as trash blowing across the interstate or a car backfiring … are restored to insignificance. The trauma thus becomes a discrete event, not a constant, self-replicating, encompassing condition. —Sue Halpern, New Yorker, 19 May 2008
- Eliminating stress entirely is not an option. If there are discrete sources of stress in your life—a relationship, a job, a health problem—you can and should take action to try to mitigate them. But my experience is that we all are subject to a kind of conservation law of stress. If stress recedes in one area, it seems to increase in another. —Time, 17 Oct. 2005
- The newer, digital phones broadcast their communications in discrete bursts of energy, whereas analog devices employ continuous signals. —Janet Raloff, Science News, 12 Feb. 2000
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Origin of DISCRETE
Middle English, from Latin discretus (see discreet)
Related to DISCRETE
- Synonyms
- detached, disconnected, separate, free, freestanding, single, unattached, unconnected
Synonym Discussion of DISCRETE
distinct, separate, discrete mean not being each and every one the same. distinct indicates that something is distinguished by the mind or eye as being apart or different from others <two distinct versions>. separate often stresses lack of connection or a difference in identity between two things <separate rooms>. discrete strongly emphasizes individuality and lack of connection <broke the job down into discrete stages>.
Rhymes with DISCRETE
accrete, aesthete, afreet, athlete, backbeat, backseat, backstreet, bedsheet, bench seat, big beat, bolete, box pleat, box seat, break beat, broadsheet, browbeat, buckwheat, bystreet, call sheet, car seat, cheat sheet, clipsheet, cloud street, cold feet, compete, compleat, complete, conceit, concrete, crabmeat, crib sheet, deadbeat, dead heat, dead meat, deceit, defeat, delete, deplete, discreet, disseat, downbeat, drop seat, drumbeat, dutch treat, effete, elite, en suite, entreat, escheat, excrete, facete, Fleet Street, fly sheet, forcemeat, foresheet, four-peat, gamete, groundsheet, hard wheat, heartbeat, heat-treat, helpmeet, hoofbeat, hot seat, house seat, ice sheet, ill-treat, jump seat, kick pleat, love seat, mainsheet, Main Street, maltreat, mesquite, mincemeat, mistreat, offbeat, Ossete, petite, pink sheet, preheat, rap sheet, receipt, recheat, red heat, red meat, red wheat, regreet, repeat, replete, retreat, scratch sheet, secrete, side street, slip-sheet, soft wheat, spreadsheet, stand treat, swap meet, sweetmeat, tear sheet, terete, three-peat, through street, time sheet, unmeet, unseat, upbeat, vegete, volkslied, white heat
DISCRETELY Defined for Kids
discrete
adjective dis·crete \di-ˈskrēt\
Definition of DISCRETE for Kids
Headscratcher for DISCRETE
There's a clue in the word discrete to keep you from confusing it with discreet. Discrete means “separate,” and to spell discrete you keep the E's separate.
Medical Dictionary
discrete
adjective dis·crete \dis-ˈkrēt, ˈdis-ˌ\
Medical Definition of DISCRETE
: characterized by distinct unconnected lesions <discrete smallpox>—compare confluent 2
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