4 VERB If you say that someone has discovered a particular activity or subject, you mean that they have tried doing it or studying it for the first time and that they enjoyed it. □ [V n] I wish I'd discovered photography when I was younger.
5 VERB [usu passive] When a actor, musician, or other performer who is not well-known is discovered , someone recognizes that they have talent and helps them in their career. □ [be V -ed] The Beatles were discovered in the early 1960's.
dis|cov|ery ◆◇◇ /d I skʌ vəri/ (discoveries )
1 N‑VAR [oft N that] If someone makes a discovery , they become aware of something that they did not know about before. □ I felt I'd made an incredible discovery. □ …the discovery that both his wife and son are HIV positive.
2 N‑VAR If someone makes a discovery , they are the first person to find or become aware of a place, substance, or scientific fact that no one knew about before. □ In that year, two momentous discoveries were made.
3 N‑VAR If someone makes a discovery , they recognize that an actor, musician, or other performer who is not well-known has talent. □ His job is the discovery and promotion of new artists.
4 N‑VAR When the discovery of people or objects happens, someone finds them, either by accident or as a result of looking for them. □ [+ of ] …the discovery and destruction by soldiers of millions of marijuana plants.
dis|cred|it /d I skre d I t/ (discredits , discrediting , discredited )
1 VERB To discredit someone or something means to cause them to lose people's respect or trust. □ [V n] …a secret unit within the company that had been set up to discredit its major rival. ● dis|cred|it|ed ADJ □ The previous government is, by now, thoroughly discredited.
2 VERB To discredit an idea or evidence means to make it appear false or not certain. □ [V n] They realized there would be difficulties in discrediting the evidence.
dis|cred|it|able /d I skre d I təb ə l/ ADJ Discreditable behaviour is not acceptable because people consider it to be shameful and wrong. [FORMAL ] □ She had been suspended from her job for discreditable behaviour.
dis|creet /d I skriː t/
1 ADJ If you are discreet , you are polite and careful in what you do or say, because you want to avoid embarrassing or offending someone. □ They were gossipy and not always discreet. ● dis|creet|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ I took the phone, and she went discreetly into the living room.
2 ADJ If you are discreet about something you are doing, you do not tell other people about it, in order to avoid being embarrassed or to gain an advantage. □ She's making a few discreet inquiries with her mother's friends. ● dis|creet|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ Everyone tried discreetly to find out more about him.
3 ADJ If you describe something as discreet , you approve of it because it is small in size or degree, or not easily noticed. [APPROVAL ] □ She wore discreet jewellery. ● dis|creet|ly ADV [ADV -ed/adj] □ …stately houses, discreetly hidden behind great avenues of sturdy trees.
dis|crep|an|cy /d I skre pənsi/ (discrepancies ) N‑VAR If there is a discrepancy between two things that ought to be the same, there is a noticeable difference between them. □ [+ between ] …the discrepancy between press and radio reports. [Also + in ]
dis|crete /d I skriː t/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Discrete ideas or things are separate and distinct from each other. [FORMAL ] □ …instruction manuals that break down jobs into scores of discrete steps.
dis|cre|tion /d I skre ʃ ə n/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Discretion is the quality of behaving in a quiet and controlled way without drawing attention to yourself or giving away personal or private information. [FORMAL ] □ Larsson sometimes joined in the fun, but with more discretion.
2 N‑UNCOUNT If someone in a position of authority uses their discretion or has the discretion to do something in a particular situation, they have the freedom and authority to decide what to do. [FORMAL ] □ This committee may want to exercise its discretion to look into those charges.
3 PHRASE If something happens at someone's discretion , it can happen only if they decide to do it or give their permission. [FORMAL ] □ We may vary the limit at our discretion and will notify you of any change.
dis|cre|tion|ary /d I skre ʃənri, [AM ] -neri/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Discretionary things are not fixed by rules but are decided on by people in authority, who consider each individual case. □ Magistrates were given wider discretionary powers.
dis|crimi|nate /d I skr I m I ne I t/ (discriminates , discriminating , discriminated )
1 VERB If you can discriminate between two things, you can recognize that they are different. □ [V + between ] He is incapable of discriminating between a good idea and a terrible one.
2 VERB To discriminate against a group of people or in favour of a group of people means to unfairly treat them worse or better than other groups. □ [V + against ] They believe the law discriminates against women. □ [V + in favour of ] …legislation which would discriminate in favour of racial minorities.
dis|crimi|nat|ing /d I skr I m I ne I t I ŋ/ ADJ Someone who is discriminating has the ability to recognize things that are of good quality. [APPROVAL ] □ More discriminating visitors now tend to shun the area.
dis|crimi|na|tion /d I skr I m I ne I ʃ ə n/