discontinuous

American  

[dis-kuhn-tin-yoo-uhs] / ˌdɪs kənˈtɪn yu əs /

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.

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discontinuous British  

/ ˌdɪskənˈtɪnjʊəs /

adjective

1. characterized by interruptions or breaks; intermittent

2. maths (of a function or curve) changing suddenly in value for one or more values of the variable or at one or more points Compare continuous

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discontinuous Scientific  

/ dĭs′kən-tĭn′yo̅o̅-əs /

1. Mathematics  Relating to a function that contains one or more points where the function is either discontinuous or undefined.

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Other Word Forms

• discontinuously adverb
• discontinuousness noun

Etymology

Origin of discontinuous

From the Medieval Latin word discontinuus, dating back to 1660–70. See dis- ¹, continuous

Compare meaning

How does discontinuous compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• continuous vs. discontinuous

Example Sentences

These strategies enabled the production of dense and continuous Te thin films compared to conventional methods that often resulted in porous or discontinuous grain depositions.

From Science Daily

Over the last few centuries, scientists reported that these "mats" have been "limited" and "discontinuous."

From Salon

If that did not happen, he said the union was likely to ballot its members for a withdrawal of all overtime working and a series of discontinuous 24-hour stoppages.

From BBC

Proust’s epic now feels to me sort of twee and also not discontinuous enough.

From New York Times

An assembly of discontinuous moments, the film builds up to an ethnographic and ecological sketch of Hawaii.

From New York Times