discrete

Definitions

dis- (apart) + crete (sifted, from crētus) = sifted apart into separate pieces = individually distinct, not continuous. Think of grain falling through a sieve as separate, countable kernels — that is discrete: distinct units (discrete data, discrete categories) rather than one continuous flow.

Common Collocations

• 1.discrete units离散单位
• 2.discrete data离散数据
• 3.discrete categories分立类别
• 4.discrete steps独立步骤

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The course is divided into six discrete modules.

• 2.

  Digital signals are made up of discrete values, not a continuous flow.

• 3.

  Each department operates as a discrete unit.

Easily Confused

discrete vs discreet — Identical pronunciation, same Latin origin, opposite spellings to remember. discrete = separate, distinct (discrete units of data). discreet = careful, tactful, low-profile (be discreet about it). Memory trick: in discrete, the two e's sit separately on either side of the t — separate = discrete. discreet keeps its two e's tucked together, hidden and quiet — like being discreet.