Discontinuity

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ËŒdɪskÉ’ntɪˈnjuːᵻti/

Origin

From Late Latin discontinuitas, from discontinuus.

Full definition of discontinuity

Noun

1. A lack of continuity, regularity or sequence; a break or gap. from 16th c.
2. (mathematics) A point in the range of a function at which it is undefined or discontinuous. from 19th c.
• 2012, George Dyson, Turing's Cathedral, Penguin 2013, p. 57:Shock waves are sudden discontinuities propagated in compressible media – usually air.
3. (geology) a subterranean interface at which seismic velocities change

Derived terms

• Gutenberg discontinuity
• Mohorovičić discontinuity
• discontinuous