adj. 1. Constituting a separate thing: Computers treat time as a series of discrete moments rather than a continuous flow. See Synonyms at distinct. 2. Consisting of unconnected distinct parts: society viewed as a discrete whole of individual agents. 3. Mathematics Defined for a finite or countable set of values; not continuous. [Middle English, from Old French, from Latin discrētus, past participle of discernere, to separate; see DISCERN.] dis·cretely adv. dis·creteness n. |
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