Main Entry: ¹dis·charge

Pronunciation: \dis-ˈchärj, ˈdis-ˌ\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French descharger, from Late Latin discarricare, from Latin dis- + Late Latin carricare to load — more at charge

Date: 14th century

transitive verb 1 : to relieve of a charge, load, or burden: a : unload <discharge a cargo ship> b : to release from an obligation c : to release electrical energy from (as a battery or capacitor) by a discharge
2 a : to let or put off <discharge passengers> <discharge cargo> b : shoot <discharge an arrow> c : to release from confinement, custody, or care <discharge a prisoner> <discharge a patient> d : to give outlet or vent to : emit <discharge emotions>
3 a (1) : to dismiss from employment (2) : to release from service or duty <discharge a soldier> b : to get rid of (as a debt or obligation) by performing an appropriate action (as payment) c : to set aside : annul d : to order (a legislative committee) to end consideration of a bill in order to bring it before the house for action
4 : to bear and distribute (as the weight of a wall above an opening)
5 : to bleach out or remove (color or dye) in dyeing and printing textiles
6 : to cancel the record of the loan of (a library book) upon returnintransitive verb 1 a : to throw off or deliver a load, charge, or burden b : to release electrical energy by a discharge
2 a : go off, fire —used of a gun b : spread, run <some dyes discharge> c : to pour forth fluid or other contents

synonyms see perform

— dis·charge·able \-jə-bəl\ adjective

— dis·charg·ee \(ˌ)dis-ˌchär-ˈjē\ noun

— dis·charg·er \dis-ˈchär-jər, ˈdis-ˌ\ noun