discharge

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 verb1: 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 action4: 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 textiles6: to cancel the record of the loan of (a library book) upon returnintransitive verb1 a: to throw off or deliver a load, charge, or burden b: to release electrical energy by a discharge2 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

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