DISCRETE

discrete, distinct

(adjective) constituting a separate entity or part; “a government with three discrete divisions”; “on two distinct occasions”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Adjective

discrete (comparative more discrete, superlative most discrete)

Separate; distinct; individual; non-continuous.

That can be perceived individually and not as connected to, or part of something else.

(electrical engineering) Having separate electronic components, such as individual diodes, transistors and resisters, as opposed to integrated circuitry.

(audio engineering) Having separate and independent channels of audio, as opposed to multiplexed stereo or quadraphonic, or other multi-channel sound.

(topology) Having each singleton subset open: said of a topological space or a topology.

Disjunctive; containing a disjunctive or discretive clause.

Usage notes

• Although cognate and identical in the Middle English period, the term has become distinct from discreet.

Antonyms

• continuous

• (electrical engineering): integrated

• (audio engineering): multiplexed

Anagrams

• desertic, discreet

Source: Wiktionary

Dis*crete", a. Etym: [L. discretus, p. p. of discernere. See Discreet.]

1. Separate; distinct; disjunct. Sir M. Hale.

2. Disjunctive; containing a disjunctive or discretive clause; as, "I resign my life, but not my honor," is a discrete proposition.

3. (Bot.)

Definition: Separate; not coalescent; -- said of things usually coalescent. Discrete movement. See Concrete movement of the voice, under Concrete, a.

– Discrete proportion, proportion where the ratio of the means is different from that of either couplet; as, 3:6::8:16, 3 bearing the same proportion to 6 as 8 does to 16. But 3 is not to 6 as 6 to 8. It is thus opposed to continued or continual proportion; as, 3:6::12:24.

– Discrete quantity, that which must be divided into units, as number, and is opposed to continued quantity, as duration, or extension.

Dis*crete", v. t.

Definition: To separate. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition