discrete

[ dih-skreet ]

adjective

1. apart or detached from others; separate; distinct:

   six discrete parts.

   Synonyms: unconnected, individual, different

2. consisting of or characterized by distinct or individual parts; discontinuous.
3. 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.

discrete

/ dɪsˈkriːt /

adjective

1. separate or distinct in form or concept
2. consisting of distinct or separate parts
3. 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 variable Compare continuous

Usage

See discreet

Derived Forms

• disˈcreteness, noun
• disˈcretely, adverb

Other Words From

• dis·cretely adverb
• dis·creteness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of discrete¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of discrete¹

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

Related Words

• disconnected
• distinct
• various