discharge

¹dis·charge

verb \dis-ˈchärj, ˈdis-ˌ\

Definition of DISCHARGE

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 return

intransitive 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

— dis·charge·able \-jə-bəl\ adjective

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

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

Examples of DISCHARGE

1. She's due to be discharged from the hospital on Wednesday.
2. We had to discharge several employees last week.
3. Thousands of soldiers were discharged after the war.
4. The judge discharged the jury.
5. The ship discharged missiles against enemy targets.
6. The gun failed to discharge.

Origin of DISCHARGE

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DISCHARGE

Synonyms: blast, shoot, fire, loose, squeeze off

Antonyms: load, pack

Related Words: launch, project; blaze (at), snipe (at); cast, catapult, fling, heave, hurl, hurtle, lob, pelt, pitch, sling, throw, toss

Near Antonyms: charge, cram, fill, heap, jam, jam-pack, stuff

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at perform

Rhymes with DISCHARGE

at-large, depth charge, enlarge, fixed charge, litharge, recharge, surcharge, take-charge, uncharge, writ large