discharged

American  

[dis-chahrjd, dis-chahrjd] / ˈdɪs tʃɑrdʒd, dɪsˈtʃɑrdʒd /

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

Etymology

Origin of discharged

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

Inside the house Leah heard, “a dreadful sound … as if a heavy piece of artillery had been discharged …” Leah rushed outside and found the girls sitting quietly.

From Literature

However, the judge said if at any point Skebas was deemed well enough to be discharged he would be sent to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.

From BBC

She wanted to be discharged back to her own home, but this did not happen.

From BBC

Vonn posted a video on Instagram including graphic images of her injury and a surgery video, saying she had been discharged from hospital.

From Barron's

Vonn was discharged on Sunday from the hospital and flown home to the United States.

From Barron's

Related Words

• fired
• freed
• laid-off
• released
• sacked