discrete

dis·crete  (d-skrt)

adj.

1. Constituting a separate thing. See Synonyms at distinct.

2. Consisting of unconnected distinct parts.

3. Mathematics Defined for a finite or countable set of values; not continuous.

---

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin discrtus, past participle of discernere, to separate; see discern.]

---

dis·cretely adv.

dis·creteness n.

---

discrete

Adjective

separate or distinct [Latin discretus separated]

discreteness n

USAGE: Avoid confusion with discreet.

Thesaurus

Adj.

1.

discrete - constituting a separate entity or part; "a government with three discrete divisions"; "on two distinct occasions" distinct separate - independent; not united or joint; "a problem consisting of two separate issues"; "they went their separate ways"; "formed a separate church"

---

discrete

adjective separate, individual, distinct, detached, disconnected, unattached, discontinuous

USAGE This word is quite often used by mistake where discreet is intended: reading is a set of discrete skills; she was discreet (not discrete) about the affair.