[dis.charge] vb [ME, fr. MF descharger, fr. LL discarricare, fr. L dis- + LL carricare to load--more at charge] vt (14c) 1: to relieve of a charge, load, or burden: a: unload 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 "~ passengers" "~ cargo" b: shoot "~ an arrow" c: to release from confinement, custody, or care "~ a prisoner" d: to give outlet or vent to: emit 3 a (1): to dismiss from employment (2): to release from service or duty "~ 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 action
4: 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 textiles
6: to cancel the record of the loan of (a library book) upon return ~ vi 1 a: to throw off or deliver a load, charge, or burden b: to release electrical energy by a discharge
2. a: go off, fire--used of a gun b: spread, run "some dyes ~" c: to pour forth fluid or other contents syn see perform -- dis.charge.able adj -- dis.charg.ee n -- dis.charg.er n
[2]dis.charge n (14c) 1 a: the act of relieving of something that oppresses: release b: something that discharges or releases; esp: a certification of release or payment
2: the state of being discharged or relieved
3: the act of discharging or unloading
4: legal release from confinement
5: a firing off
6. a: a flowing or issuing out "a ~ of spores"; also: a rate of flow b: something that is emitted "a purulent ~" 7: the act of removing an obligation or liability
8. a: release or dismissal esp. from an office or employment b: complete separation from military service
9. a: the equalization of a difference of electric potential between two points b: the conversion of the chemical energy of a battery into electrical energy