discontinuous

[ dis-kuhn-tin-yoo-uhs ]

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.

discontinuous

/ 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

discontinuous

/ 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.

Derived Forms

• ˌdisconˈtinuousness, noun
• ˌdisconˈtinuously, adverb

Other Words From

• discon·tinu·ous·ly adverb
• discon·tinu·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of discontinuous¹

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

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

This discontinuous third season demonstrates that too.

From Salon

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

From Salon

For generations of queer writers, including many of the women who appear in “After Sappho,” deliberately composing in fragmentary styles — breaking their work into discrete, discontinuous chunks through grammatical, visual or narrative eccentricities — became a way to build new, more welcoming forms of community.

From Washington Post

The number of these so-called discontinuous contracts signed by young people aged under 24 has gone up by five times in the year to November, with that age group one of the most employed under such contracts.

From Reuters