discrete

[dih-skreet] /dɪˈskrit/

adjective

apart or detached from others; separate; distinct:

six discrete parts.

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

Mathematics.

(of a topology or topological space) having the property that every subset is an open set.
defined only for an isolated set of points:
a discrete variable.
using only arithmetic and algebra; not involving calculus:
discrete methods.

Origin

1350-1400; Middle English < Latin discrētus separated; see discreet

Related forms

discretely, adverb

discreteness, noun

Can be confused

discreet, discrete.

Synonyms

1. different, individual, unconnected.

Examples from the web for discrete

Each drop one to itself, a discrete self.
That makes it easier and more discrete for shoppers and speeds the checkout and reimbursement processes for retailers.
Whale communities were sometimes thought of as discrete communities, seldom mixing.
Photons are discrete quanta of energy.
You just have to develop a problem set, not merely a set of discrete questions.
Rather than a discrete and sudden exit retirement may become more gradual.
Dogs are not wolves, and do not live in small discrete , clearly defined packs.
In a digital computer, information is sent around as discrete bits and bytes.
But 6, 3+3, and 9-3 aren't discrete entities.
The distribution of government control is continous, not discrete.

British Dictionary definitions for discrete

discrete

/dɪsˈkriːt/

adjective

separate or distinct in form or concept

consisting of distinct or separate parts

(statistics)

(of a variable) having consecutive values that are not infinitesimally close, so that its analysis requires summation rather than integration
(of a distribution) relating to a discrete variable Compare continuous (sense 4)

Derived Forms

discretely, adverb
discreteness, noun

discreet

Word Origin

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

Word Origin and History for discrete

adj.

late 14c., see discreet. Related: Discretely.

discrete in Medicine

discrete dis·crete (dĭ-skrēt')
adj.
Not joined to or incorporated with another; separate; distinct.

discrete in Technology

mathematics
A description of a quantity whose value is one of a fixed set of values, as opposed to a continuous - a value capable of infinitessimal variation. For example, integers are discrete values whereas real numbers are continuous; digital sound has discrete amplitude leves whereas analog sound is continuous.
(2009-10-08)