Word
discharge
Phoneticsdis·charge
/ˈdɪsˌtʃɑɹdʒ/
Definitions
01to release from an institution
v. to officially allow someone to leave a place like a hospital, the army, or a court.
v. to release someone officially from a period of confinement, service, or institutional care.
“The doctors decided to discharge the patient after his fever went down.”
“The tribunal ruled to discharge the defendant after concluding that the evidence presented by the prosecution was insufficient for a conviction.”
Formal
Usage
Often used in the passive voice when referring to hospital or military contexts.
02to fire a weapon
v. to shoot a gun or let an arrow fly.
v. to fire a weapon or release a projectile.
“The officer was careful not to discharge his weapon in the crowded street.”
“Forensic analysis confirmed that the suspect did not discharge the firearm during the struggle, as no gunshot residue was found on his hands.”
Formal · Technical
Antonyms
03to perform a duty
v. to do what you are required to do, like a job or a promise.
v. to fulfill or carry out a duty, responsibility, or legal obligation.
“She worked hard to discharge her duties as the new manager.”
“The executor of the estate is legally required to discharge all outstanding debts before distributing the remaining assets to the heirs.”
Formal · Academic
04to emit a substance
v. to send out a liquid, gas, or other substance.
v. to release or emit a substance, often as a waste product or from a wound.
“The factory was fined for discharging chemicals into the nearby river.”
“The infected wound began to discharge a clear fluid, indicating that the healing process was not yet complete.”
Technical
Antonyms
05official release
n. the act of being allowed to leave a job or institution.
n. the formal act of releasing someone from an obligation, service, or confinement.
“He received an honorable discharge after serving four years in the navy.”
“Upon his discharge from the psychiatric facility, the patient was provided with a comprehensive outpatient care plan.”
Formal
Antonyms
06emitted substance
n. liquid or gas that comes out of something, often from a pipe or a wound.
n. a substance that has been emitted or released, particularly waste or biological fluid.
“The plumber checked the pipe for any unusual discharge.”
“Environmental inspectors monitored the industrial discharge to ensure it met the safety standards set by the local government.”
Technical
Real-World Examples
“The university said in a statement the student victim had "sustained non-life threatening injuries" and was discharged from hospital.” “All three were taken to hospital for checks but were discharged shortly afterwards, Chomchoey said.” “Daera said "no active discharge was found" but "a definite line of enquiry is being followed regarding the source of the pollution".” Etymology
From Middle English dischargen, from Old French deschargier (“to unload”), from Late Latin discarricāre (“unload”). By surface analysis, dis- + charge.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.