v. & n.
v. 1 tr. a let go, release, esp. from a duty, commitment, or period of confinement. b relieve (a bankrupt) of residual liability. 2 tr. dismiss from office, employment, army commission, etc. 3 tr. a fire (a gun etc.). b (of a gun etc.) fire (a bullet etc.). 4 a tr. (also absol.) pour out or cause to pour out (pus, liquid, etc.) (the wound was discharging). b tr. throw; eject (discharged a stone at the cat). c tr. utter (abuse etc.). d intr. (foll. by into) (of a river etc.) flow into (esp. the sea). 5 tr. a carry out, perform (a duty or obligation). b relieve oneself of (a financial commitment) (discharged his debt). 6 tr. Law cancel (an order of court). 7 tr. Physics release an electrical charge from. 8 tr. a relieve (a ship etc.) of its cargo. b unload (a cargo) from a ship.
n. 1 the act or an instance of discharging; the process of being discharged. 2 a dismissal, esp. from the armed services. 3 a a release, exemption, acquittal, etc. b a written certificate of release etc. 4 an act of firing a gun etc. 5 a an emission (of pus, liquid, etc.). b the liquid or matter so discharged. 6 (usu. foll. by of) a the payment (of a debt). b the performance (of a duty etc.). 7 Physics a the release of a quantity of electric charge from an object. b a flow of electricity through the air or other gas esp. when accompanied by the emission of light. c the conversion of chemical energy in a cell into electrical energy. 8 the unloading (of a ship or a cargo). dischargeable adj. discharger n. (in sense 7 of v.).
[ ME f. OF descharger (as DIS-, CHARGE) ]