Discrete
Pronunciation
- IPA: /dɪsˈkɹiËt/
- Homophones: discreet
- Rhymes: -iËt
Origin
From Old French discret, from Latin discretus, from past participle of discernere.
Full definition of discrete
Adjective
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 resistors and inductors — the opposite of 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"I resign my life, but not my honour" is a discrete proposition.
Usage notes
Often confused with discreet.
Derived terms
Antonyms
- continuous
- (electrical engineering) integrated
- (audio engineering) multiplexed