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Definition of 'discrete'

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discrete

(dɪskrit )
adjective [usu ADJ n]
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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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]
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

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.
Mcinnes, Colin & Sheffield G.D (eds.) Warfare in the Twentieth Century (1988)
Flow charts show the organization or relationships between discrete parts of a system.
Porush, David A Short Guide to Writing About Science (1995)
These blocks should not be considered as discrete units which can simply be placed next to one another.
Lee Harvey Critical Social Research (1990)
The chapters are intense, almost discrete sections that flit between characters affected by the deaths.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It tells its story in three linked but discrete sections, each focused on different characters.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The measure is plain to see, forming a discrete part of a main government Bill.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)

Related word partners
discrete
 

discrete element
discrete entity
discrete event
discrete groups
discrete set of
discrete unit

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discrete

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discrete

  • discrepancies
  • discrepancy
  • discrepant
  • discrete
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  • discrete entity
  • discrete event

  • All ENGLISH words that begin with 'D'

Related terms of
discrete

  • discrete unit
  • discrete entity
  • discrete event
  • discrete groups
  • discrete element

  • View more related words

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Definition of discrete from the Collins English Dictionary
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