dis-

apart, away; reversal or negation

Forms

dis-
di- — Shortened in certain Latin compounds.
dif- — Used before f in Latin.

Origin

Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *dis, ‘apart,’ associated with the idea of ‘two.’

Note

Separating things supplied a route from physical apartness to undoing an action.

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verb / noun

discharge

dis-CHARJ/dɪsˈtʃɑːrdʒ/

Release from a containing place or imposed control.

The pipe discharges treated water into the river every day.

Water forcefully flows out from a large drainage pipe into a channel.

Etymology

disLatinapart, away; reversal or negation

+chargeLatinto load a wagon

Reversing the action of loading gives the original image of unloading. That release of a load broadened to sending something out, as when a weapon fires or a river empties.

In context

CQ Fire & Safety1:12

squeeze squeeze the lever to discharge the extinguishing agent releasing the lever will stop the discharge

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher Using the PASS Method

More examples

The doctor approves her discharge from the hospital.
He received an honorable discharge from the Army.
The officer discharged his weapon at the shooting range.
Touching the doorknob caused a small electrical discharge.

Forms

discharge · discharges · discharged · discharging

Similar words

release: Broader term for freeing someone or letting something out.
emit: Focuses on sending out substances, light, heat, or sound.
dismiss: Means sending someone away, especially from employment or duty.