rhizoverbBeta
DictionarydiscreteSeparate and distinct
adjective

discrete

dis-KREET/dɪˈskriːt/

Separate and individually identifiable.

The three stones form discrete units separated by clear gaps.

Three separate rounded stones, each with its own complete outline and a broad white gap from the others, make individual, distinct units immediately visible.
Etymology
disLatinapart, away
+creteLatinto distinguish, separate, sift

The roots picture separating or sifting things apart. The resulting sense, “separated,” remains central: something discrete is distinct from the other things around it.

In context

nptelhrd38:22
sometimes this fluorescence emission is a slightly broader banded in other words it is not a discrete wave length
Non-intrusive spray measurements techniques.

More examples

  • The machine completes the task in discrete steps.
  • Each tile is a discrete unit in the pattern.
  • The variables take discrete values rather than every possible value.

Forms

discrete

Similar words

distinct
Distinct is clearly different; discrete specifically means separate units rather than a continuum.
separate
Separate is broad; discrete often emphasizes countable, individually identifiable units.