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discharge

   Also found in: Medical, Legal, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.01 sec.
dis·charge  (ds-chärj)
v. dis·charged, dis·charg·ing, dis·charg·es
v.tr.
1.
a. To relieve of a burden or of contents; unload.
b. To unload or empty (contents).
2.
a. To release, as from confinement, care, or duty: discharge a patient; discharge a soldier.
b. To let go; empty out: a train discharging commuters.
c. To pour forth; emit: a vent discharging steam.
d. To shoot: discharge a pistol.
3. To remove from office or employment. See Synonyms at dismiss.
4. To perform the obligations or demands of (an office, duty, or task). See Synonyms at perform.
5. To comply with the terms of (a debt or promise, for example).
6. Law
a. To acquit completely: discharged the defendant.
b. To set aside; annul: discharge a court order.
7. To remove (color) from cloth, as by chemical bleaching.
8. Electricity To cause the release of stored energy or electric charge from (a battery, for example).
9. Architecture
a. To apportion (weight) evenly, as over a door.
b. To relieve (a part) of excess weight by distribution of pressure.
10. To clear the record of the loan of (a returned library book).
v.intr.
1. To get rid of a burden, load, or weight.
2.
a. To go off; fire: The musket discharged loudly.
b. To pour forth, emit, or release contents.
c. To become blurred, as a color or dye; run.
3. To undergo the release of stored energy or electric charge.
n. (dschärj, ds-chärj)
1. The act of removing a load or burden.
2. The act of shooting or firing a projectile or weapon.
3.
a. A flowing out or pouring forth; emission; secretion: a discharge of pus.
b. The amount or rate of emission or ejection.
c. Something that is discharged, released, emitted, or excreted: a watery discharge.
4. The act or an instance of removing an obligation, burden, or responsibility.
5.
a. Fulfillment of the terms of something, such as a debt or promise.
b. Performance, as of an office or duty.
6.
a. Dismissal or release from employment, service, care, or confinement.
b. An official document certifying such release, especially from military service.
7. Law An annulment or acquittal; dismissal, as of a court order.
8. Electricity
a. Release of stored energy in a capacitor by the flow of current between its terminals.
b. Conversion of chemical energy to electric energy in a storage battery.
c. A flow of electricity in a dielectric, especially in a rarefied gas.
d. Elimination of net electric charge from a charged body.

[Middle English dischargen, from Old French deschargier, from Late Latin discarricre : Latin dis-, dis- + Late Latin carricre, to load; see charge.]

dis·chargea·ble adj.
discharg·ee n.
dis·charger n.

discharge
Verb
[-charging, -charged]
1. to release or allow to go
2. to dismiss (someone) from duty or employment
3. to fire (a gun)
4. to cause to pour forth: the scar was red and swollen and began to discharge pus
5. to remove (the cargo) from a boat, etc.; unload
6. to meet the demands of (a duty or responsibility)
7. to relieve oneself of (a debt)
8. Physics to take or supply electrical current from (a cell or battery)
Noun
1. something that is discharged
2. dismissal or release from an office, job, etc.
3. a pouring out of a fluid; emission
4. Physics a conduction of electricity through a gas

discharge  (ds-chärj)
Noun
1. The conversion of chemical energy to electric energy within a storage battery.
2. A flow of electricity in a dielectric, especially in a rarefied gas.
3. A flowing out or pouring forth, as of a bodily fluid; emission or secretion.
4. A substance or material that is released, emitted, or excreted, especially from the body.
Verb
1. To undergo or cause the release of stored energy or electric charge, as from a battery or capacitor.
2. To release, emit, or excrete a substance, especially from the body.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.dischargedischarge - the sudden giving off of energy
happening, natural event, occurrence, occurrent - an event that happens
electrical discharge - a discharge of electricity
blowup, detonation, explosion - a violent release of energy caused by a chemical or nuclear reaction
eruption, volcanic eruption - the sudden occurrence of a violent discharge of steam and volcanic material
2.discharge - the act of venting
emission, emanation - the act of emitting; causing to flow forth
3.discharge - a substance that is emitted or released
material, stuff - the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object; "coal is a hard black material"; "wheat is the stuff they use to make bread"
exudate, exudation - a substance that oozes out from plant pores
transudate, transudation - a substance that transudes
effluvium - a foul-smelling outflow or vapor (especially a gaseous waste)
rheum - a watery discharge from the mucous membranes (especially from the eyes or nose)
vaginal discharge - discharge of secretions from the cervical glands of the vagina; normally clear or white
4.discharge - any of several bodily processes by which substances go out of the body; "the discharge of pus"
bodily function, bodily process, body process, activity - an organic process that takes place in the body; "respiratory activity"
ejaculation - the discharge of semen in males
excreting, excretion, voiding, elimination, evacuation - the bodily process of discharging waste matter
menses, menstruation, catamenia, menstruum, period, flow - the monthly discharge of blood from the uterus of nonpregnant women from puberty to menopause; "the women were sickly and subject to excessive menstruation"; "a woman does not take the gout unless her menses be stopped"--Hippocrates; "the semen begins to appear in males and to be emitted at the same time of life that the catamenia begin to flow in females"--Aristotle
5.dischargedischarge - electrical conduction through a gas in an applied electric field
brush discharge - discharge between electrodes creating visible streamers of ionized particles
corona discharge, corposant, electric glow, Saint Elmo's fire, Saint Elmo's light, Saint Ulmo's fire, Saint Ulmo's light, St. Elmo's fire, corona - an electrical discharge accompanied by ionization of surrounding atmosphere
flashover - an unintended electric discharge (as over or around an insulator)
electrical conduction - the passage of electricity through a conductor
6.discharge - the pouring forth of a fluid
flow, flowing - the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)
spirt, spurt, squirt, jet - the occurrence of a sudden discharge (as of liquid)
leakage, outflow, leak, escape - the discharge of a fluid from some container; "they tried to stop the escape of gas from the damaged pipe"; "he had to clean up the leak"
7.discharge - the termination of someone's employment (leaving them free to depart)
superannuation - the act of discharging someone because of age (especially to cause someone to retire from service on a pension)
ending, termination, conclusion - the act of ending something; "the termination of the agreement"
conge, congee - an abrupt and unceremonious dismissal
removal - dismissal from office
deactivation, inactivation - breaking up a military unit (by transfers or discharges)
honorable discharge - a discharge from the armed forces with a commendable record
dishonorable discharge - a discharge from the armed forces for a grave offense (as sabotage or espionage or cowardice or murder)
Section Eight - a discharge from the US Army based on unfitness or character traits deemed undesirable
8.discharge - a formal written statement of relinquishment
relinquishing, relinquishment - the act of giving up and abandoning a struggle or task etc.
granting immunity, exemption, immunity - an act exempting someone; "he was granted immunity from prosecution"
9.discharge - the act of discharging a gun
shooting, shot - the act of firing a projectile; "his shooting was slow but accurate"
gun - the discharge of a firearm as signal or as a salute in military ceremonies; "two runners started before the gun"; "a twenty gun salute"
Verb1.discharge - complete or carry out; "discharge one's duties"
accomplish, carry out, carry through, fulfil, fulfill, action, execute - put in effect; "carry out a task"; "execute the decision of the people"; "He actioned the operation"
2.discharge - pour forth or release; "discharge liquids"
squirt, eject, force out, squeeze out - cause to come out in a squirt; "the boy squirted water at his little sister"
disperse, sprinkle, dot, scatter, dust - distribute loosely; "He scattered gun powder under the wagon"
play - discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream; "play water from a hose"; "The fountains played all day"
volley - discharge in, or as if in, a volley; "the attackers volleyed gunshots at the civilians"
spread, distribute - distribute or disperse widely; "The invaders spread their language all over the country"
3.discharge - free from obligations or duties
disinvest, divest - deprive of status or authority; "he was divested of his rights and his title"; "They disinvested themselves of their rights"
relieve, take over - free someone temporarily from his or her obligations
cut - discharge from a group; "The coach cut two players from the team"
clear - free from payment of customs duties, as of a shipment; "Clear the ship and let it dock"
cashier - discharge with dishonor, as in the army
set free, liberate - grant freedom to; "The students liberated their slaves upon graduating from the university"
disembroil, disinvolve, disentangle - free from involvement or entanglement; "How can I disentangle myself from her personal affairs?"
4.discharge - remove the charge from
remove, take away, withdraw, take - remove something concrete, as by lifting, pushing, or taking off, or remove something abstract; "remove a threat"; "remove a wrapper"; "Remove the dirty dishes from the table"; "take the gun from your pocket"; "This machine withdraws heat from the environment"
charge - fill or load to capacity; "charge the wagon with hay"
5.discharge - go off or discharge; "The gun fired"
6.dischargedischarge - pronounce not guilty of criminal charges; "The suspect was cleared of the murder charges"
vindicate - clear of accusation, blame, suspicion, or doubt with supporting proof; "You must vindicate yourself and fight this libel"
whitewash - exonerate by means of a perfunctory investigation or through biased presentation of data
purge - clear of a charge
pronounce, label, judge - pronounce judgment on; "They labeled him unfit to work here"
7.discharge - eliminate (a substance); "combustion products are exhausted in the engine"; "the plant releases a gas"
cough out, cough up, expectorate, spit up, spit out - discharge (phlegm or sputum) from the lungs and out of the mouth
blow - free of obstruction by blowing air through; "blow one's nose"
ejaculate - eject semen
abort - terminate a pregnancy by undergoing an abortion
ovulate - produce and discharge eggs; "women ovulate about once every month"
egest, excrete, eliminate, pass - eliminate from the body; "Pass a kidney stone"
bleed, hemorrhage, shed blood - lose blood from one's body
eruct, spew out, spew - eject or send out in large quantities, also metaphorical; "the volcano spews out molten rocks every day"; "The editors of the paper spew out hostile articles about the Presidential candidate"
fester, suppurate, maturate - ripen and generate pus; "her wounds are festering"
emit, pass off, breathe - expel (gases or odors)
8.discharge - leave or unload; "unload the cargo"; "drop off the passengers at the hotel"
deliver - bring to a destination, make a delivery; "our local super market delivers"
wharf - discharge at a wharf; "wharf the passengers"
air-drop - drop (an object) from the air; unload from a plane or helicopter
9.discharge - cause to go off; "fire a gun"; "fire a bullet"
pop - fire a weapon with a loud explosive noise; "The soldiers were popping"
let drive, let fly, loose off - fire as from a gun; "The soldiers let drive their bullets"
shoot, blast - fire a shot; "the gunman blasted away"
fusillade - attack with fusillade
10.discharge - release from military service
deactivate - remove from active military status or reassign; "The men were deactivated after five years of service"
demob, demobilise, demobilize - retire from military service
demobilise, demobilize, inactivate - release from military service or remove from the active list of military service
cannon - fire a cannon
let go, let go of, release, relinquish - release, as from one's grip; "Let go of the door handle, please!"; "relinquish your grip on the rope--you won't fall"
muster in, draft, enlist - engage somebody to enter the army
11.discharge - become empty or void of its content; "The room emptied"
change state, turn - undergo a transformation or a change of position or action; "We turned from Socialism to Capitalism"; "The people turned against the President when he stole the election"
flow away, flow off - flow off or away gradually; "The water flowed off from the pipe"

discharge
verb 1. release, free, clear, liberate, pardon, let go, acquit, allow to go, set free, exonerate, absolve
verb 2. dismiss, sack (informal) fire (informal) remove, expel, discard, oust, eject, cashier, give (someone) the boot (slang) give (someone) the sack (informal) kennet Austral. (slang) jeff Austral. (slang)
verb 6. fire, shoot, set off, explode, let off, detonate, let loose (informal)
noun 8. dismissal, notice, removal, the boot (slang) expulsion, the sack (informal) the push (slang) marching orders (informal) ejection, demobilization, kiss-off (slang), chiefly U.S., Canad. the bum's rush (slang) the (old) heave-ho (informal) the order of the boot (slang) congé, your books or cards (informal)
Translations
Spanish discharge [dɪsˈtʃɑːdʒ] vt [+ task, duty] → cumplir [+ ship etc]; descargar [+ patient]; dar de alta [+ employee]; despedir [+ soldier]; licenciar [+ defendant]; poner en libertad (= settle) [+ debt] → saldar
n [ˈdɪstʃɑːdʒ] (ELEC) → descarga (= vaginal discharge); emisión f vaginal (= dismissal); despedida; [of duty] → desempeño; [of debt] → pago, descargo; [of gas, chemicals] → escape m;
discharged bankrupt → quebrado/a rehabilitado/a

French discharge vt [dɪsˈtʃɑːdʒ] [+ duties] → s'acquitter de (= settle) [+ debt] → s'acquitter de, régler [+ waste etc]; déverser; décharger;
(Elec, Med) → émettre [+ patient]; renvoyer (chez lui) [+ employee, soldier]; congédier, licencier [+ defendant]; relaxer, élargir
n [ˈdɪstʃɑːdʒ] (Elec, Med) → émission f;
(also: vaginal discharge) → pertes blanches (= dismissal); renvoi m; licenciement m; élargissement m;
to discharge one's gun → faire feu;
discharged bankrupt → failli(e)réhabilité(e)

German discharge [dɪsˈtʃɑːdʒ] vt (duties) → nachkommen +dat;
(debt) → begleichen;
(waste) → ablassen;
(Elec) → entladen;
(Med) → ausscheiden, absondern;
(patient, employee, soldier) → entlassen;
(defendant) → freisprechen
n (of gas) → Ausströmen nt;
(of liquid) → Ausfließen nt;
(Elec) → Entladung f;
(Med) → Ausfluss m;
(of patient, employee, soldier) → Entlassung f;
(of defendant) → Freispruch m;
to discharge a gun → ein Gewehr abfeuern

Italian discharge vt [dɪsˈtʃɑːdʒ] [+ duties] → compiere (= settle) [+ debt] → pagare, estinguere;
(ELEC), [+ waste etc]; scaricare;
(MED) → emettere [+ patient]; dimettere [+ employee]; licenziare [+ soldier]; congedare [+ defendant]; liberare
n [ˈdɪstʃɑːdʒ] (ELEC) → scarica;
(MED), [of gas, chemicals] → emissione f (= vaginal discharge); perdite fpl (bianche);
(dismissal) → licenziamento; congedo; liberazione f;
to discharge one's gun → fare fuoco

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What point in the heavens ought the cannon to be aimed at which is intended to discharge the projectile?
WHILE a Division Superintendent of a railway was attending closely to his business of placing obstructions on the track and tampering with the switches he received word that the President of the road was about to discharge him for incompetency.
"Sire, in a word," said the officer, "I am come to ask for my discharge from your majesty's service.
 
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