definitions

discrete

[ dih-skreet ]
/ dɪˈskrit /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR discrete ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

apart or detached from others; separate; distinct: six discrete parts.
consisting of or characterized by distinct or individual parts; discontinuous.
Mathematics.
  1. (of a topology or topological space) having the property that every subset is an open set.
  2. defined only for an isolated set of points: a discrete variable.
  3. using only arithmetic and algebra; not involving calculus: discrete methods.

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RELATED WORDS

differentiation, separateness, singularity, individuality, particularity

Nearby words

discredit, discreditable, discreet, discrepancy, discrepant, discrete, discrete variable, discretion, discretion is the better part of valor, discretional, discretionary

Origin of discrete

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin discrētus separated; see discreet

Related forms

dis·crete·ly, adverbdis·crete·ness, noun

Can be confused

discreet discrete
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for discreteness

discrete

/ (dɪsˈkriːt) /

adjective

separate or distinct in form or concept
consisting of distinct or separate parts
statistics
  1. (of a variable) having consecutive values that are not infinitesimally close, so that its analysis requires summation rather than integration
  2. (of a distribution) relating to a discrete variableCompare continuous (def. 4)

Derived Forms

discretely, adverbdiscreteness, noun

Word Origin for discrete

C14: from Latin discrētus separated, set apart; see discreet

confusable

Avoid confusion with discreet
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for discreteness

discrete

[ 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.