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Discontinuous Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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discontinuous

dis-con-tin-u-ous

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

linguistics

Not continuous; having intervals or gaps.

Synonyms

disconnected, disjointed, intermittent.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
discontinuous

Use this term when something is not continuous or is interrupted in its course. Often used in scientific, mathematical, or technical contexts.

  • The geological layers showed a discontinuous pattern
  • The graph has a discontinuous function
disjointed

Denotes things that are lacking a logical or smooth connection. Usually has a negative connotation and is used for speech, writing, and thoughts.

  • Her speech was disjointed and hard to follow
  • The story had a disjointed narrative
intermittent

Describes something occurring at irregular intervals, not constantly or steadily. Commonly used for events, symptoms, and phenomena.

  • He suffers from intermittent headaches
  • The rain was intermittent throughout the day
disconnected

This is used when something or someone is detached or separated, often indicating a lack of coherence or unity. It can be used for physical objects, ideas, or people.

  • His arguments felt disconnected from reality
  • The phone call got disconnected due to poor signal

Examples of usage

  • The data showed a discontinuous pattern.
  • Her speech was marked by discontinuous pauses.
  • The discontinuous nature of the timeline made it difficult to follow.
Context #2 | Adjective

mathematics

Of a function, having one or more points at which it fails to be continuous.

Synonyms

non-continuous.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
discontinuous

Typically used in both technical and non-technical contexts to describe something that is not continuous or has interruptions or gaps.

  • The river's flow is discontinuous due to the various dams built along its course.
  • His education was discontinuous because he had to take breaks to support his family.
non-continuous

Primarily used in formal or technical contexts to describe something that does not follow a continuous path or sequence.

  • The data set is non-continuous, with several missing values.

Examples of usage

  • The function is discontinuous at x=0.
  • The discontinuous graph had sharp corners.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Quick facts about “discontinuous”

Discontinuous is a 5-syllable adjective (dis-con-tin-u-ous). On finesentence.com it has 2 meanings, 4 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #13,232 among the most common English words.

Did you know?

“discontinuous” in mathematics

  • In mathematics, a discontinuous function has one or more breaks in its graph, making it impossible to draw without lifting a pencil.
  • The concept of discontinuity is essential in calculus and helps in understanding limits and behaviors of functions.

“discontinuous” in physics

  • In physics, discontinuous phenomena can describe systems where changes occur suddenly rather than gradually, such as phase transitions.
  • The concept helps physicists study systems that do not follow a steady state, revealing insights into behaviors like critical points.

“discontinuous” in literature

  • Writers often use discontinuous narratives to create tension or intrigue, presenting events out of chronological order.
  • This style was prominent in modernist literature, with authors like James Joyce and Virginia Woolf employing this technique to reflect the complexity of human experience.

“discontinuous” in cultural studies

  • In cultural analysis, a discontinuous history may refer to periods where developments are sudden and transformative, breaking from the past.
  • Understanding historical discontinuities can reveal insights into societal changes, showing how communities adapt to new realities.

Origin of 'discontinuous'

Main points about word origin

  • The word combines the prefix 'dis-', meaning 'apart' or 'away', with 'continuous', which comes from Latin roots meaning 'to hold together'.
  • First documented use of 'discontinuous' was in the early 19th century, signifying something that is not unbroken.

The word 'discontinuous' originated from the Latin word 'discontinuus', which is a combination of 'dis-' meaning 'apart' and 'continuus' meaning 'continuous'. The term was first used in the 16th century to describe something lacking continuity or having breaks or interruptions.

See also: continual, continually, continuance, continuation, continuing, continuity, continuous, continuously, discontinuance, discontinuation, discontinue, discontinued, discontinuity.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,232, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.