DISCRETE, adjective [Latin See Discreet.] 1. Separate; distinct; disjunct. discrete proportion is when the ratio of two or more pairs of numbers or quantities is the same, but there is not the same proportion between all the numbers; as 3:6::8:16, 3 bearing the same proportion to 6, as 8 does to 16. But 3 is not to 6 as 6 is to 8. It is thus opposed to continued or continual proportion, as 3:6::12:24. 2. Disjunctive; as, I resign my life, but not my honor, is a discrete proposition. DISCRETE, verb transitive To separate; to discontinue. [Not used.]
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI