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Definition of 'discrete'

Word Frequency

discrete

(dɪskriːt )

adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]

Discrete ideas or things are separate and distinct from each other.

[formal]

...instruction manuals that break down jobs into scores of discrete steps.

Synonyms: separate, individual, distinct, detached More Synonyms of discrete

COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers

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Word Frequency

discrete in British English

(dɪsˈkriːt )

adjective

1.

separate or distinct in form or concept

2.

consisting of distinct or separate parts

3. statistics

a.

(of a variable) having consecutive values that are not infinitesimally close, so that its analysis requires summation rather than integration

b.

(of a distribution) relating to a discrete variable

Compare continuous (sense 4)

▶ USAGE Avoid confusion with discreet

Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers

Derived forms

discretely (disˈcretely)

adverb

discreteness (disˈcreteness)

noun

Word origin

C14: from Latin discrētus separated, set apart; see discreet

Word Frequency

discrete in American English

(dɪˈskrit )

adjective

1.

separate and distinct; not attached to others; unrelated

2.

made up of distinct parts; discontinuous

3.

designating or of an electronic circuit having separate transistors, resistors, etc.

Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.

Derived forms

discretely (disˈcretely)

adverb

discreteness (disˈcreteness)

noun

Word origin

ME discret: see discreet

Word Frequency

discrete in American English

(dɪˈskrit)

adjective

1.

apart or detached from others; separate; distinct

six discrete parts

2.

consisting of or characterized by distinct or individual parts; discontinuous

3. Math

a. (of a topology or topological space)

having the property that every subset is an open set

b.

defined only for an isolated set of points

a discrete variable

c.

using only arithmetic and algebra; not involving calculus

discrete methods

Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019 by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd

Derived forms

discretely

adverb

discreteness

noun

Word origin

[1350–1400; ME ‹ L discrētus separated; see discreet]

Examples of 'discrete' in a sentence
discrete

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

Limited war was no longer a discrete phenomenon but part of a wider whole.Flow charts show the organization or relationships between discrete parts of a system.These blocks should not be considered as discrete units which can simply be placed next to one another.The chapters are intense, almost discrete sections that flit between characters affected by the deaths.It tells its story in three linked but discrete sections, each focused on different characters.The measure is plain to see, forming a discrete part of a main government Bill.

COBUILD Collocations
discrete

discrete element

discrete entity

discrete groups

discrete set of

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discrete

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discrete

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Definition of discrete from the Collins English Dictionary

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councillor or counsellor?

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counsellor

councillor

They sought the help of a marriage .

sun or son?

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The sun was high in the sky. The son was high in the sky.

aid or aide?

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They have pledged billions of dollars in aid. They have pledged billions of dollars in aide.

bough or bow?

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bough

I gave a theatrical and waved.

stile or style?

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She had not lost her grace and stile. She had not lost her grace and style.

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Nov 08, 2021

Word of the day

desertification

Desertification is the process by which a piece of land becomes dry , empty , and unsuitable for growing trees or crops on.

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Scrabble score
for 'discrete':
11

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annual loss or sad loss?

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He is a very annual loss to journalism and the book world. He is a very sad loss to journalism and the book world.

negative view or ocean views?

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ocean views

negative view

There isn't a pool but the are wonderful.

criminal activity or economic activity?

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There is no indication that either of them was involved in criminal activity. There is no indication that either of them was involved in economic activity.

faltering economy or industrial economies?

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faltering economy

industrial economies

Swift change could harm Britain's already .

civil action or swift action?

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civil action

swift action

You could pursue a for damages against her.

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