Discover

Pronunciation

• Hyphenation: dis + co + ver
• UK IPA: /dɪsˈkÊŒvÉ™(ɹ)/, /dɪsˈkÊŠvÉ™/
• GenAm IPA: /dɪsˈkÊŒvÉš/
• Rhymes: -ÊŒvÉ™(r)

Alternative forms

• discovre obsolete

Origin

From Old French descovrir, from Latin discooperiō, from dis- + cooperiō.

Full definition of discover

Verb

1. (transitive, obsolete) To remove the cover from; to uncover (a head, building etc.).
2. (transitive, now rare) To expose, uncover.
   The gust of wind discovered a bone in the sand.
3. (transitive, chess) To create by moving a piece out of another piece's line of attack.
   This move discovers an attack on a vital pawn.
4. (transitive, archaic) To reveal (information); to divulge, make known.
   I discovered my plans to the rest of the team.
• ShakespeareGo, draw aside the curtains, and discover
  The several caskets to this noble prince.
• Francis BaconProsperity doth best discover vice; but adversity doth best discover virtue.
5. (transitive, obsolete) To reconnoitre, explore (an area).
• 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte d'Arthur, Book V:they seyde the same, and were aggreed that Sir Clegis, Sir Claryon, and Sir Clement the noble, that they sholde dyscover the woodys, bothe the dalys and the downys.
6. To find something for the first time.
• 2013-08-10, Can China clean up fast enough?, All this has led to an explosion of protest across China, including among a middle class that has discovered nimbyism.
7. Turning the corner, I discovered a lovely little shop.
8. (obsolete) To manifest without design; to show; to exhibit.
• C. J. SmithThe youth discovered a taste for sculpture.

Synonyms

• (expose something previously covered) expose, reveal, uncover
• (find something for the first time) come across, find

Antonyms

• (expose something previously covered) conceal, cover, cover up, hide

Derived terms

• discovery
• discovered attack
• discovered check

Anagrams

• discovre
• divorces, divorcés