Quantcast
 
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

discontinuity

 - 3 dictionary results

dis⋅con⋅ti⋅nu⋅i⋅ty

  [dis-kon-tn-oo-i-tee, -yoo-]
–noun, plural -ties.
1. lack of continuity; irregularity: The plot of the book was marred by discontinuity.
2. a break or gap: The surface of the moon is characterized by major discontinuities.
3. Mathematics. a point at which a function is not continuous.
4. Geology. a zone deep within the earth where the velocity of earthquake waves changes radically.
Use discontinuity in a Sentence
Origin:
1560–70; < ML discontinuitās. See discontinuous, -ity
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To discontinuity
dis·con·ti·nu·i·ty   (dĭs-kŏn'tə-nōō'ĭ-tē, -nyōō'-)   
n.   pl. dis·con·ti·nu·i·ties

  1. Lack of continuity, logical sequence, or cohesion.

  2. A break or gap.

  3. Geology A surface at which seismic wave velocities change.

  4. Mathematics

    1. A point at which a function is defined but is not continuous.

    2. A point at which a function is undefined.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Science Dictionary
discontinuity   (dĭs-kŏn'tə-n'ĭ-tē)  Pronunciation Key 

  1. A usually uneven surface between two layers of rock or sediment that represents either an interruption in the deposition of the layers, as in an unconformity, or a displacement of one or both layers relative to each other, as in a fault.

  2. A surface within the Earth across which the velocities of seismic waves change. The discontinuities are located at the boundaries between the Earth's various layers and correspond to changes in the elastic properties of the Earth's materials.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see discontinuity on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
ExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyThe Daily BeastUrbanspoonAsk AnswersBloglinesSendori