verb , noun
■ verb
/ dɪsˈtʃɑːdʒ; NAmE -ˈtʃɑːrdʒ/
FROM HOSPITAL / JOB
1.
[ vn ] [ usually passive ] discharge sb (from sth) to give sb official permission to leave a place or job; to make sb leave a job :
Patients were being discharged from the hospital too early.
She had discharged herself against medical advice.
He was discharged from the army following his injury.
She was discharged from the police force for bad conduct.
FROM PRISON / COURT
2.
[ vn ] [ often passive ] to allow sb to leave prison or court :
He was conditionally discharged after admitting the theft.
GAS / LIQUID
3.
discharge (sth) (into sth) when a gas or a liquid discharges or is discharged , or sb discharges it, it flows somewhere :
[ v ]
The river is diverted through the power station before discharging into the sea.
[ vn ]
The factory was fined for discharging chemicals into the river.
FORCE / POWER
4.
( technical ) to release force or power :
[ vn ]
Lightning is caused by clouds discharging electricity.
[also v ]
DUTY
5.
[ vn ] ( formal ) to do everything that is necessary to perform and complete a particular duty :
to discharge your duties / responsibilities / obligations
to discharge a debt (= to pay it)
GUN
6.
[ vn ] ( formal ) to fire a gun, etc.
■ noun
/ ˈdɪstʃɑːdʒ; NAmE -tʃɑːrdʒ/
OF LIQUID / GAS
1.
[ U , C ] the action of releasing a substance such as a liquid or gas; a substance that comes out from inside somewhere :
a ban on the discharge of toxic waste
thunder and lightning caused by electrical discharges
nasal / vaginal discharge (= from the nose / vagina )
FROM HOSPITAL / JOB
2.
[ U , C ] discharge (from sth) the act of officially allowing sb, or of telling sb, to leave somewhere, especially sb in a hospital or the army
OF DUTY
3.
[ U ] ( formal ) the act of performing a task or a duty or of paying money that is owed :
the discharge of debts / obligations
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in the sense relieve of (an obligation) ): from Old French descharger , from late Latin discarricare unload, from dis- (expressing reversal) + carricare , carcare to load, from Latin carrus wheeled vehicle.