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Discrete

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dis⋅crete

[di-skreet]
–adjective
1. apart or detached from others; separate; distinct: six discrete parts.
2. consisting of or characterized by distinct or individual parts; discontinuous.
3. Mathematics.
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.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME < L discrētus separated; see discreet


dis⋅crete⋅ly, adverb
dis⋅crete⋅ness, noun


1. different, individual, unconnected.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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dis·crete   (dĭ-skrēt')   
adj.  
  1. Constituting a separate thing. See Synonyms at distinct.

  2. Consisting of unconnected distinct parts.

  3. Mathematics Defined for a finite or countable set of values; not continuous.


[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin discrētus, past participle of discernere, to separate; see discern.]
dis·crete'ly adv., dis·crete'ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

discrete 
1398, see discreet.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: dis·crete
Pronunciation: dis-'krEt, 'dis-"
Function: adjective
: characterized by distinct unconnected lesions <discretesmallpox> —compare CONFLUENT 2
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

discrete dis·crete (dĭ-skrēt')
adj.
Not joined to or incorporated with another; separate; distinct.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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