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).
Derivatives:
dischargeable adj. discharger n. (in sense 7 of v.).
Etymology: ME f. OF descharger (as DIS-, CHARGE)