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discontinuous

 - 3 dictionary results

dis⋅con⋅tin⋅u⋅ous

[dis-kuhn-tin-yoo-uhs]
–adjective
1. not continuous; broken; interrupted; intermittent: a discontinuous chain of mountains; a discontinuous argument.
2. Mathematics. (of a function at a point) not continuous at the point.

Origin:
1660–70; < ML discontinuus. See dis- 1 , continuous


dis⋅con⋅tin⋅u⋅ous⋅ly, adverb
dis⋅con⋅tin⋅u⋅ous⋅ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To discontinuous
dis·con·tin·u·ous   (dĭs'kən-tĭn'yōō-əs)   
adj.  
    1. Marked by breaks or interruptions; intermittent: discontinuous applause.

    2. Consisting of distinct or unconnected elements, such as the physical features of a landscape.

    3. Being without sequential order or coherent form.

  1. Mathematics Possessing one or more discontinuities, as a function.

dis'con·tin'u·ous·ly adv., dis'con·tin'u·ous·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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Science Dictionary
discontinuous   (dĭs'kən-tĭn'y-əs)  Pronunciation Key 
Mathematics Relating to a function that contains one or more points where the function is either discontinuous or undefined.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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