discharged

[dis-chahrjd, dis-chahrjd]

adjective

1. released, sent away, or allowed to leave.

   In hospitals nationwide during that period, 20 percent of all discharged patients over 65 had congestive heart failure as a primary or secondary diagnosis.

2. relieved or deprived of office or employment; dismissed from service.

   Our next speaker is an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.

3. Electricity.,  (of a battery, capacitor, etc.) emptied of a charge of electricity.

   This unit will recharge a fully discharged battery in 3.5 hours.

4. (of a firearm or missile) fired or shot.

   Gunshot residue can be deposited on clothing close to the discharged firearm.

5. poured forth or spilled out; emitted.

   Open each faucet and run the water until a distinct odor of chlorine can be detected in the discharged water.

6. Law.

   1. (of a defendant, especially one under confinement) allowed to go free; released.

      Under this law, conditions may be imposed that restrict a discharged defendant’s freedom of movement.

   2. (of a person declared bankrupt) released from debts.

      If I am a discharged bankrupt, will I still be able to get a mortgage?

   3. (of a contract, debt, or other obligation) canceled.

      Creditors can’t come after you to repay a discharged debt, since you’re no longer legally responsible for it.

7. emptied or relieved of its cargo.

   On the land side, a truck picks up containers from the discharged vessel or from the storage area.

8. (of cargo) removed or unloaded.

   Each discharged keg is weighed to ensure that it contains the correct quantity of beer before warehousing.

9. (of a duty, function, etc.) fulfilled, performed, or executed.

   There is no better example of faithfully discharged duty and courtesy of manner than the late Dr. Redford.

10. (of a committee in a legislative body) ordered to cease further consideration of a bill so that it can be voted on.

    Let the debate be closed by the one who proposed the bill, rather than by the chairman of the discharged committee.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of discharge.

Other Word Forms

• undischarged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of discharged¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; 1790–1800 discharged for def. 3; discharge ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; discharge ( def. ) + -ed ¹ ( def. ) for the verb sense

Example Sentences

To qualify, applicants must prove they came to the U.S. before they turned 16 and have graduated from high school or were honorably discharged from the military.

From Los Angeles Times

SpaceX paid nearly $500,000 this year to resolve Environmental Protection Agency allegations that it discharged cooling water after launches and engine tests into nearby wetlands.

From Los Angeles Times

After the 14 March incident was brought to an end, Ley was taken into medical care and was arrested when he was later discharged.

From BBC

South Cheshire coroner Sarah Murphy said Ms Tetley was discharged from hospital despite expressing suicidal thoughts, and cautioned health bosses to take action to prevent future deaths.

From BBC

Jurors heard audio of Mr Fercano radioing colleagues after he discharged his weapon in Routh's direction: "Shots fired! Shots fired! Shots fired!"

From BBC

Related Words

• fired www.thesaurus.com
• freed www.thesaurus.com
• laid-off www.thesaurus.com
• released www.thesaurus.com
• sacked