discrete

discrete (dɪsˈkriːt)

—*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

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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.

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)

Example sentences

Dogs are not wolves, and do not live in small discrete , clearly defined packs.

The number of stalls, urinals, and sinks and proximity to convenient and

discrete observation posts were similar.

For a start, all business activities must be broken down into their discrete

components.

It is also an irrefutable fact that nature is discrete, not continuous as the

relativists have claimed and continue to claim.

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Matching Quote

"I have no faith in our hypocritical, false, hysterical, uneducated and lazy intelligentsia when they suffer and complain: their oppression comes from within. I believe in individual people. I see salvation in discrete individuals, intellectuals and peasants, strewn hither and yon throughout Russia. They have the strength, although there are few of them."

-Anton Pavlovich Chekhov