dis·crete

[dih-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; Middle English < Latin discrētus separated; see discreet

dis·crete·ly, adverb
dis·crete·ness, noun

discreet, discrete.


1. different, individual, unconnected.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Discrete is an SAT word you need to know.
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distrusting the motives of others
characteristic of or appropriate to ordinary or familiar conversation rather than formal speech or writing; informal
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World English Dictionary
discrete (dɪsˈkriːt) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
adj
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.  Compare continuous (of a distribution) relating to a discrete variable
 
[C14: from Latin discrētus separated, set apart; see discreet]
 
 
dis'cretely
 
adv
 
dis'creteness
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

discrete
late 14c., see discreet. Related: Discretely.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
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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FOLDOC
Computing Dictionary

discrete definition

mathematics
A description of a quantity whose value is one of a fixed set of values, as opposed to a continuous - a value capable of infinitessimal variation. For example, integers are discrete values whereas real numbers are continuous; digital sound has discrete amplitude leves whereas analog sound is continuous.
(2009-10-08)

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © Denis Howe 2010 http://foldoc.org
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Example sentences
Journalists should be discrete in the face of untruth.
And the programmability extends not only to integrating discrete functions.
Rather than a discrete and sudden exit retirement may become more gradual.
Indeed, no discrete group will have a final say on who will be the nominee.
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