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 • Sep. 18, 2023

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

From Salon • Mar. 25, 2023

"Whether this is better or worse than having several temporary contracts is debatable," said Miguel Angel Malo, professor of economics at the University of Salamanca, referring to the discontinuous contracts.

From Reuters • Dec. 19, 2022

DNA replication is bidirectional and discontinuous; explain your understanding of those concepts.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

More than any scientist before him, Bateson also grasped the idea that the discontinuous nature of genetic information carried vast implications for the future of human genetics.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee