Discharged: meaning, definitions and examples

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discharged

 

[ dɪsˈtʃɑːrdʒd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

medical context

Discharged refers to the process of releasing a patient from a healthcare facility, such as a hospital, after they have received medical treatment. This occurs when the medical staff determines that the patient no longer requires inpatient care and is fit to continue their recovery at home or in another less intensive care environment. The discharge process often involves providing the patient with information on follow-up care, medications, and any necessary lifestyle changes.

Synonyms

dismissed, freed, released

Examples of usage

  • The patient was discharged after a week of treatment.
  • She was given specific instructions before being discharged.
  • The doctor confirmed he was ready to be discharged.
Context #2 | Verb

legal context

In a legal context, discharged refers to the act of releasing someone from a legal obligation or liability. This often occurs in contracts, where one party may be discharged from their duties under certain conditions or after fulfilling their commitments. Discharge can also refer to the cancellation of debts or obligations in bankruptcy proceedings.

Synonyms

absolved, dismissed, released

Examples of usage

  • The court discharged her from further obligations.
  • The debt was discharged as part of the bankruptcy.
  • He was discharged from his contract due to non-performance.

Translations

Translations of the word "discharged" in other languages:

🇵🇹 liberado

🇮🇳 छोड़ दिया गया

🇩🇪 entlassen

🇮🇩 dikeluarkan

🇺🇦 звільнений

🇵🇱 zwolniony

🇯🇵 解放された

🇫🇷 libéré

🇪🇸 dado de alta

🇹🇷 taburcu edilmiş

🇰🇷 퇴원한

🇸🇦 مُفرج عنه

🇨🇿 propuštěný

🇸🇰 prepustený

🇨🇳 出院的

🇸🇮 izpuščen

🇮🇸 útskrifaður

🇰🇿 босатылған

🇬🇪 გამოწერილი

🇦🇿 azad edilmiş

🇲🇽 dado de alta

Etymology

The word 'discharged' is derived from the Middle English term 'dischargen', which means to relieve of a burden or duty. Its roots can be traced back to the Old French term 'descharger', which combines 'des-' meaning 'from' or 'away' and 'charger', meaning 'to load or burden'. Over time, the term evolved in the English language to encompass various meanings, including the release from medical care or legal obligations. The use of the term in the medical field became more prominent in the 19th century, reflecting the growing emphasis on patient care and recovery processes. Today, 'discharged' is commonly used in both medical and legal contexts to indicate the act of being released or relieved from responsibilities.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,135, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.