dis·charge (dĭs-chärj') v.
dis·charged, dis·charg·ing, dis·charg·es
v.
tr.
To relieve of a burden or of contents; unload.
To unload or empty (contents).
To release, as from confinement, care, or duty: discharge a patient; discharge a soldier.
To let go; empty out: a train discharging commuters.
To pour forth; emit: a vent discharging steam.
To shoot: discharge a pistol.
To acquit completely: discharged the defendant.
To set aside; annul: discharge a court order.
To apportion (weight) evenly, as over a door.
To relieve (a part) of excess weight by distribution of pressure.
To release, as from confinement, care, or duty: discharge a patient; discharge a soldier.
To let go; empty out: a train discharging commuters.
To pour forth; emit: a vent discharging steam.
To shoot: discharge a pistol.
To acquit completely: discharged the defendant.
To set aside; annul: discharge a court order.
To apportion (weight) evenly, as over a door.
To relieve (a part) of excess weight by distribution of pressure.
To remove from office or employment. See Synonyms at dismiss.
To perform the obligations or demands of (an office, duty, or task). See Synonyms at perform.
To comply with the terms of (a debt or promise, for example).
Law
To acquit completely: discharged the defendant.
To set aside; annul: discharge a court order.
To apportion (weight) evenly, as over a door.
To relieve (a part) of excess weight by distribution of pressure.
To remove (color) from cloth, as by chemical bleaching.
Electricity To cause the release of stored energy or electric charge from (a battery, for example).
Architecture
To apportion (weight) evenly, as over a door.
To relieve (a part) of excess weight by distribution of pressure.
To clear the record of the loan of (a returned library book).
v.
intr.
To get rid of a burden, load, or weight.
To go off; fire: The musket discharged loudly.
To pour forth, emit, or release contents.
To become blurred, as a color or dye; run.
To undergo the release of stored energy or electric charge.
n.
(dĭs'chärj', dĭs-chärj')
The act of removing a load or burden.
The act of shooting or firing a projectile or weapon.
A flowing out or pouring forth; emission; secretion: a discharge of pus.
The amount or rate of emission or ejection.
Something that is discharged, released, emitted, or excreted: a watery discharge.
Fulfillment of the terms of something, such as a debt or promise.
Performance, as of an office or duty.
Dismissal or release from employment, service, care, or confinement.
An official document certifying such release, especially from military service.
Release of stored energy in a capacitor by the flow of current between its terminals.
Conversion of chemical energy to electric energy in a storage battery.
A flow of electricity in a dielectric, especially in a rarefied gas.
Elimination of net electric charge from a charged body.
The act or an instance of removing an obligation, burden, or responsibility.
Fulfillment of the terms of something, such as a debt or promise.
Performance, as of an office or duty.
Dismissal or release from employment, service, care, or confinement.
An official document certifying such release, especially from military service.
Release of stored energy in a capacitor by the flow of current between its terminals.
Conversion of chemical energy to electric energy in a storage battery.
A flow of electricity in a dielectric, especially in a rarefied gas.
Elimination of net electric charge from a charged body.
Dismissal or release from employment, service, care, or confinement.
An official document certifying such release, especially from military service.
Release of stored energy in a capacitor by the flow of current between its terminals.
Conversion of chemical energy to electric energy in a storage battery.
A flow of electricity in a dielectric, especially in a rarefied gas.
Elimination of net electric charge from a charged body.
Law An annulment or acquittal; dismissal, as of a court order.
Electricity
Release of stored energy in a capacitor by the flow of current between its terminals.
Conversion of chemical energy to electric energy in a storage battery.
A flow of electricity in a dielectric, especially in a rarefied gas.
Elimination of net electric charge from a charged body.
[Middle English dischargen, from Old French deschargier, from Late Latin discarricāre : Latin dis-, dis- + Late Latin carricāre, to load; see charge.] dis·charge'a·ble adj., dis'charg·ee' n., dis·charg'er n.
c.1330, from O.Fr. deschargier "unload," from L.L. discarricare, from dis- "do the opposite of" + carricare "load." The electrical sense is first attested 1748.
Main Entry: 2dis·charge Pronunciation: 'dis(h)-"chärj, dis(h)-' Function: noun 1: the act of relieving of something<discharge of a repressed impulse> 2: release from confinement, custody, or care discharge from the hospital> 3: something that is emitted or evacuated discharge from a wound> discharge>