■ verb dɪs'tʃα:dʒ
1》 officially allow (someone) to leave somewhere, especially hospital.
↘dismiss from a job.
↘release from the custody or restraint of the law.
2》 emit or send out (a liquid, gas, or other substance).
↘ Physics release or neutralize the electric charge of (an electric field, battery, etc.).
↘fire (a gun or missile).
↘unload (goods or passengers) from a ship.
3》 do all that is required to fulfil (a responsibility) or perform (a duty).
↘release from a contract or obligation.
↘ Law relieve (a bankrupt) of residual liability.
4》 Law (of a judge or court) cancel (an order of a court).
■ noun 'dɪstʃα:dʒ , dɪs'tʃα:dʒ
1》 the action of discharging.
2》 a substance that has been ~d.
↘a flow of electricity through air or other gas, especially when accompanied by emission of light.
Derivatives
~able adjective
~r noun
Origin
ME: from OFr. descharger , from late L. discarricare 'unload', from dis- (expressing reversal) + carricare (see charge ).