dischargen.

Brit.

/ˈdɪstʃɑːdʒ/, U.S.

/ˈdɪsˌtʃɑrdʒ/

Forms: Middle English descharge, Middle English discharhge, Middle English 1600s dyscharg, Middle English–1500s dyscharge, Middle English– discharge, 1500s discarg, 1500s–1600s dischardge, 1500s–1600s discharg, 1500s–1700s discarge, 1600s deschardge, 1600s dicarge, 1600s dischardg; also Scottish pre-1700 dischairge, pre-1700 dischearge.

Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly formed within English, by conversion. Etymons: French discharge ; discharge v.

Etymology: Partly (especially in early use) < Anglo-Norman discharge, Anglo-Norman and Middle French descharge (c1300 in Old French (northern) as desquarke ; frequent in Anglo-Norman legal documents; French décharge ) < descharger discharge v., and partly (especially in later use) < discharge v. (compare forms at that entry).Senses of the French word likely to have influenced the English word include: place at which cargo is unloaded (c1300 in Old French as desquarke), fulfilment, performance, or execution of an office, duty, or function (1306), exoneration, exemption (a1321 or earlier; 1363 or earlier with reference to release from a financial obligation, 1438 with reference to acquittal of a defendant from a charge), document that confers release from an obligation or liability (1365, originally with reference to a certificate of release from a debt), action or act of giving vent to words, feelings, etc. (1422, chiefly in concrete sense ‘physical attack on another person’), act of firing a firearm (1477), emission, ejection (a1550), conduit for water (1609), structure or architectural feature used to relieve the weight or pressure of features above it (1628), in Anglo-Norman also relief from suffering or burden (a1342 or earlier), retirement from office (1370 or earlier), offloading of cargo (1384). Compare post-classical Latin discarcagium unloading, payment for unloading (from 13th cent. in British sources), dischargia, dischargium release from debt (1514 in a British source). Compare also Spanish descarga (end of the 14th cent.), Portuguese descargo (14th cent.), descarrega (15th cent.), Italian discarico (14th cent.), all earliest in sense ‘action or act of removing a load or burden’, and also Catalan descàrrec act of unburdening oneself, especially with regard to one's conscience (1490), descàrrega act of removing a load or burden (1696).

†1. The action or fact of freeing from an unhappy state; relief from suffering or misfortune; help, benefit. Cf. discharge v. 2. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > types of help > [noun] > help in trouble, danger, or difficulty

bootOE

dischargec1390

relief?1406

redressa1413

relievement1443

c1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Bodl. 902) viii. l. 3104* That love is of no repentaile; For it ne berth no contretaile, Which mai the conscience charge, But it is rather of descharge.

1404 Rolls of Parl.: Henry IV (Electronic ed.) Parl. Oct. 1404 §20. m. 7 The kynges entent is..for to put in execucione..alle the articles contened in the peticione of the comune, in alle hast that he may, in discharge of his poeple.

1434 in H. Nicolas Proc. & Ordinances Privy Council (1835) IV. 213 (MED) Þe whiche offre..shuld..have be of greet availle & discharge to you.

1463 in J. P. Collier Trevelyan Papers (1857) 82 (MED) To restore the sayde Thomas Whalesborughe his heres that be ryghtfull enheritors to that lande, in discharhge of that noble prynces is sooll.

1558 Act 4 & 5 Philip & Mary c. 11 The summe of sixe thousande pounde..in releif, comforte and discharge of the pore cities, townes, & boroughes of this her sayd realme, wasted, desolate, or distroyed, or ouer greatly empouerished.

1589 tr. Restorer of French Estate vii. 166 They promised you discharge, comfort, liberty, abundance, ease, and quiet.

1662 J. Humfrey Second Disc. Re-ordination vii. 68 Here for the discharge of my own Soul..I must humbly lay two charges upon them.

a. The action or an act of freeing or releasing from obligation, liability, etc.; exoneration, exemption; spec. the action or an act of releasing a bankrupt from further legal liability for debts contracted before his or her bankruptcy. Cf. discharge v. 3a.

ΘΚΠ

society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > [noun] > release from duty or obligation

remission?1316

loosingc1357

releasec1390

releasing1395

discharginga1398

defeasance1399

quittancea1400

acquittancec1405

discharge1423

absolution1447

acquittinga1450

quietance1451

excusationc1475

relief1496

acquittal?1538

releasement1548

ease1576

excuse1577

relievement1583

excusal1584

exoneration1640

dispensation1653

absolvement1689

1423 Petition in Fenland Notes & Queries (1907–9) 7 308 (MED) As it pleases to youre discrecion to allowe hem..a warraunt of discharge to youre auditours and to youre resceyvors.

a1475 J. Fortescue Governance of Eng. (Laud) (1885) 129 Wich encrease any subget desirith ffor his owne discharge off þat he beyrith to the sustenance off his prince.

1532 T. More Confut. Tyndale in Wks. 518/2 Of whiche commaundement in scripture we see no discharge.

1559 Abp. Hethe in J. Strype Ann. Reformation I. ii. App. vi. 11 Thus muche I have here said..for the dyscharge of my conscience.

1594 A. Bacon Let. 27 Apr. in G. Ungerer Spaniard in Elizabethan Eng. (1974) I. 220 By the present Grace of God it shalbe performed by me to his qwiett discharge withowt cumbring him.

1683 Britanniæ Speculum 155 After that Honorius had by Letters of Discharge quitted the Britains of the Roman Jurisdiction.

1705 Act 4 Anne c. 17 That a bankrupt trader..should be entitled to his discharge from all further liability for the debts theretofore contracted.

1707 Rehearsal 5 Apr. in C. Leslie View of Times (1708) I A sufficient Discharge from all Obligations and Favours Receive'd.

1818 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. (ed. 2) III. 66 Neither will any prescription de non decimando avail in total discharge of tithes, unless it relates to such abbey lands.

1835 Penny Cycl. III. 401 The bankrupt..may apply to the Court of Session for a discharge... A discharge..frees the debtor from all debts previous to the date of the first deliverance on the petition for sequestration, except debts due to the crown.

1895 Times (Weekly ed.) 558/2 [Bankruptcy Court] Although he did not treat the debtor as immaculate, he thought the order of discharge might be granted subject to the minimum suspension laid down by the Act—namely, two years.

1900 Christian Reg. (Boston) 10 May 507/1 The discharge from all obligations to accept historic creeds ought to increase, and not lessen, one's devotion to the service of his kind.

1933 Columbia Law Rev. 33 221 Lord Mansfield held that the bankrupt tenant, after discharge, could not be sued for future rent in an action of debt on the reddendum of the lease.

2002 Duke Law Jrnl. 51 1216 Favoring the discharge of bankrupt municipalities on the basis that investors are wealthier than average municipal citizens.

b. concrete. Something (esp. a document) that conveys or confers release from an obligation or liability, as a receipt for the payment of money due, a certificate of freedom from liability, etc. Cf. sense 5c.

ΘΚΠ

society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > [noun] > release from duty or obligation > formal > written

discharge1425

release?1506

discharge1538

1425 in R. W. Chambers & M. Daunt Bk. London Eng. (1931) 204 (MED) This is the Dyscharg off Esmond Twyn and Thomas Catteworth off the same ȝer.

1495 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VII (Electronic ed.) Parl. Oct. 1495 §29. m. 18 The kingis lettres undir his pryve seale..shalbe sufficient discharge for the..payment therof.

1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Surueyeng xi. f. 12^v Than must the tenaunt shewe a discharge by suffycient writyng, and nat by wordes, or elles to paye the same.

1640 in J. Nicholson Minute Bk. War Comm. Covenanters Kirkcudbright 13 Nov. (1855) 91 To call for a sight of the said discharges and tak coppies thairof.

1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 339 I sent for a Notary, and caused him to draw up a general Release or Discharge for the 470 Moidores.

1765 G. Murray Petition 9 Persons would be obliged carefully to preserve all discharges of such open accounts.

1866 A. Crump Pract. Treat. Banking v. 107 An alteration made by the drawer..without the consent or knowledge of the acceptor, is considered a full discharge to the acceptor.

1893 A. N. Fitch New Commerc. Law xl. 204 It is not the duty of the holder of a mortgage to prepare a discharge when the mortgage is paid.

1901 Parl. Deb. House of Representatives N.Z. 2 Aug. 195/1 We will not issue the discharge of mortgage until we actually have the cash in hand.

1989 R. Bell Special Calling vii. 107 He called in his secretary and asked her to prepare a discharge of mortgage and a confirmation that the debt had been paid in full.

2011 J. H. Sinclair et al. Conveyancing in Scotl. i. 4 There is no reason why they should not do all the work themselves—sell the property on the internet..prepare a discharge of any security over the property, and present it for registration.

3. Fulfilment, performance, or execution of an obligation, duty, function, etc. Frequently with of.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > carrying out > [noun] > of a command, duty, or plan

fulfilling1340

fulling1383

fullingc1400

acquittal1430

discharge1434

acquitc1460

performation1504

performance1530

performancy1608

acquittance1660

society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > [noun] > performance of duty

acquittal1430

discharge1434

administration1483

feasance1528

payment1581

assoilment1649

acquittance1660

1434 in H. Nicolas Proc. & Ordinances Privy Council (1835) IV. 213 (MED) We..comen..to þis your greet consail for oure discharge and acquitaille to God, to your highnesse, and to your subgites.

1546 Bp. S. Gardiner Let. 19 Jan. (1933) 221 How to acquiete ourself for discharge of our duetie at hom in not wryting.

1599 in W. Fraser Memorials Montgomeries (1859) II. 243 Archibald Barklay..behaifit himself verie honestlie and cairfullie for the discharge of sik thingis..committit into him.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) ii. i. 259 An act Whereof, what's past is Prologue; what to come In yours, and my discharge .

1622 R. Hawkins Observ. Voiage South Sea lxi. 146 I know the Spaniard too too well, and the manner of his proceedings, in discharge of promises.

a1674 T. Traherne Christian Ethicks (1675) 478 The discharge of our duty.

1760 Cautions & Advices to Officers of Army 23 If at any time you are at a loss in respect to the right Discharge of your Duty, never be ashamed to ask some one more experienced than yourself.

1829 R. Southey Sir Thomas More I. Ded. p. iii Such tribute..rendered, in discharge Of grateful duty.

1848 H. J. Stephen New Comm. Laws Eng. (ed. 2) II. iv. i. x. 594 The discharge of the office is..in general compulsory upon the party chosen.

1883 Law Rep.: Queen's Bench Div. 11 596 (note) In the discharge of his functions as advocate.

1926 Times 13 Feb. 9/2 I find the duties of my academic position are incompatible with the effective discharge of my office as member of Parliament.

1965 L. Trilling Beyond Culture (1967) 35 He charges women not to interfere with men in the discharge of their cultural duty.

2001 Catholic Hist. Rev. 87 651 In the discharge of this responsibility, Kerby had to be left almost completely to his own devising.

4. Exoneration from accusation, blame, or censure; exculpation, acquittal; pardon. Also: an instance of this. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > justification > [noun] > exculpation

skering1297

sunyinga1400

discharge1449

cleansingc1568

disaggravating1598

clearing1604

assoilment1611

washing1612

disblaminga1641

disculpation1649

acclearmenta1670

exculpationa1715

whitewashing1768

expurgation1828

1449–50 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VI (Electronic ed.) Parl. Nov. 1449 §15. m. 4 I trust youre highnesse and youre lande shull be content of me, and thenke that it shall suffice to my discharge with His mercy.

1471 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 441 John Pampyng roode for a dyscharge fore yow.

1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. HHHvii It is nat sufficient to my discharge.

1557 M. Basset tr. T. More Treat. Passion in Wks. 1373/2 Wold that..haue serued theym for theire dyscharge?

1656 Earl of Monmouth tr. T. Boccalini Ragguagli di Parnasso 328 He published in his own discharge, those his unfortunate relations.

1694 R. South 12 Serm. II. 584 Not condemning..which word imports properly an Acquitment, or Discharge of a man upon some precedent Accusation.

1779 Gentleman's Mag. Feb. 66/1 The idea they entertain, that they shall be happy, and be saved, by obtaining a discharge of the sins of their deceased relations, as well as their own.

1836 J. Gilbert Christian Atonem. i. 28 His receiving a discharge from guilt.

1847 W. Stroud Treat. Physical Causes Death Christ v. 339 The punishment of the cross..furnished that effusion of life's blood..without which the Scripture declared there could be no discharge of sin.

1942 T. S. Eliot Little Gidding iv. 14 The dove descending breaks the air With flame of incandescent terror Of which the tongues declare The one discharge from sin and error.

1954 Mississippi Valley Hist. Rev. 41 524 Pardons were liberally interpreted by the courts as restoring full title..and as working a final discharge of guilt for complicity in the rebellion.

5. transitive. The action or an act of releasing or dismissing a person.

a. The action or an act of releasing an individual from custody or restraint; liberation of a prisoner, or a person charged with an offence. Now frequently Law, with reference to the release of a convicted defendant without punishment (see absolute discharge n. 2, conditional discharge at conditional adj. 7). Also: a judicial judgement or sentence stipulating such release.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > liberation > [noun] > release from confinement

unbinding1382

releasing1395

loosing1415

dischargec1458

enlargement1540

release1559

relaxationa1578

unloosing1578

bail1598

loosening1598

releasant1606

enlarge1608

dismission1609

eluctation1627

to let go1631

relaxating1647

unfetteringa1653

disimprisonment1656

disimprisoning1659

absolute discharge1729

disincarceration1831

decarceration1963

c1458 in H. Anstey Epistolae Academicae Oxon. (1898) II. 344 (MED) So þat sayd meyre, ballywys and burgeses, or syche delyverance by them be do made, have a sufficientt and a lawful discharge for þe same prisoner.

1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. cxxxix^v He..nothyng more coueted and desired, then libertie and discharge.

c1595 Countess of Pembroke Psalme lxvi. 54 in Coll. Wks. (1998) II. 76 I cri'd to him, my cry procured My free dischardge in [Mss B, χ: from] all my bandes.

1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 1573 Death who sets all free Hath paid his ransom now and full discharge .

1771 H. Mackenzie Man of Feeling (1803) xi. 88 You will receive..a sum more than sufficient for your husband's discharge.

1822 Times 4 June 3/5 Distressed boys..who, on their discharge from the prisons of the metropolis, are desirous of abandoning their vicious habits.

1890 Polit. Sci. Q. 5 525 Sentences for subsequent offences should be indeterminate, leaving the final discharge of the prisoner to be fixed by the prison managers instead of by the judge.

1913 Washington Law Reporter 9 May 304/2 An abuse of discretion..does not constitute such reversible error as to justify the court in directing a new trial or the dismissal of the action and discharge of the accused.

1965 M. Spark Mandelbaum Gate iv. 104 On his discharge he bought a car on the instalment plan.

2013 N.Z. Herald (Nexis) 16 Mar. It is clear..that discretion is being used too generously for some people given discharges for drink-driving.

b. Dismissal from service, employment, office, etc.; an instance of this.constructive, retaliatory discharge: see the first element.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > lack of work > [noun] > dismissal or discharge

discharginga1398

discharge1523

quietus est1530

conduction1538

cassing1550

remove1553

destitution1554

mittimus1596

dismissionc1600

quietus1635

removal1645

cashierment1656

separation1779

dismissing1799

dismissala1806

to give (a person) the sack1825

bullet1841

congee1847

decapitation1869

G.B.1880

the shove1899

spear1912

bob-tail1915

severance1941

sacking1958

termination1974

1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Surueyeng f. xxv In many lordshyppes it is vsed that and the tenaunt leaue his house by his owne wyll without any discharge of the lorde ye tenaunt shall pay his best quicke good to the lorde in the name of an herryot.

1590 R. Greene Mourning Garment 33 The Seruingmen..brookt their discharge with patience.

1683 J. Keble Assistance to Justices of Peace Table sig. A For discharge of a Servant within the time.

1755 N. Magens Ess. Insurances II. 111 If the Master..give the Mate his Discharge.

1835 H. C. Carey Ess. Rate of Wages xv. 206 The paupers consist of weavers, unable at times to support their families, and wholly chargeable to public or private charity in case of illness, scarcity, or discharge from work.

1873 F. Hudson Journalism in U.S. xxxviii. 613 Serious charges were made..against the agent by the telegraph manager, and his discharge from service suggested.

1906 Internat. Wood-worker Mar. 109/1 The bosses made desperate efforts to weaken the movement; through victimizing by discharge from work every person who had the temerity to raise his voice in the meetings.

1966 J. S. Auerbach Labor & Liberty i. 14 The coal operators used their power of summary discharge to squelch political activity deemed inimical to their interests.

2005 Washington Post (Nexis) 8 Sept. t7 A letter..indicated that Wilkins was placed on administrative leave Aug. 15 and that her employment would end Oct. 11. The letter described the termination as a ‘discharge’ and gave no elaboration.

c. Release or dismissal from service in the armed forces or police; an instance of this. Also: a certificate confirming this (cf. sense 2b). Frequently with distinguishing word. Cf. discharge v. 10b.bad conduct, dishonorable, honorable, military, undesirable discharge: see the first element.

ΘΚΠ

society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > [noun] > release from duty or obligation > formal > written

discharge1425

release?1506

discharge1538

1538 T. Elyot Dict. Caussaria missio, a discharge of a souldiour for a reasonable cause.

1649 Act examining & stating Accompts Officers & Soldiers in Parl. Service 266 A certificate under the Hand and Seal of his Captain or Lieutenant..expressing..in what year or years of our Lord such his Service was, and..what pay he received for the same, or what remained due to him in arrear at his discharge.

1690 P. N. Exact Abridgm. Trials 165 Whereas the Lord Stafford had charged him for a Coward, and for running away from his Colours, he produced his Discharge from his Captain, which certified otherwise.

1726 N. Uring Hist. Voy. & Trav. 29 We anchored in the Downs, and soon after were order'd for the Nore, where we lay till about February, at which Time I obtained my Discharge.

1776 Scots Mag. Nov. 591/2 Jonathan Wentworth..is published to the world as a scoundrel, guilty of neglecting his duty, evidently with a design of obtaining a discharge from the service of his country.

1844 Lancet 3 Feb. 615 From this time up to the period of his discharge from the police-force in June, 1841, he became more or less inefficient.

1862 Boston Daily Advertiser 8 Mar. He showed a medical discharge from the Polish Brigade.

1918 R. D. Holmes Yankee in Trenches xv. 194 Unless one is all shot to pieces, literally with something gone, it is hard to get a discharge from the British army.

1952 Economist 3 May 297/1 Two reserve officers have been court-martialled for refusing to fly..and an administrative discharge without dishonour probably awaits the other twelve.

1973 Yale Law Jrnl. 83 46 It was ordered that he be given a General Discharge (apparently for alcoholism).

2012 Daily Citizen (Dalton, Georgia) (Nexis) 31 Jan. I got a copy of his discharge and saw what medals he was due.

d. The action of telling or allowing a person, group of people, etc., to leave; dismissal; (now esp.) the action or fact of allowing a patient to leave hospital because they are judged fit; the dismissal of a juror or jury. Also: an instance of this. Cf. discharge v. 10c.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > causing to go away > [noun] > sending away or dismissing

dimission1530

dismiss1589

recoilmenta1608

dismission1608

discharge1616

dismissmenta1626

cashiering1629

avoidance1633

sending1748

discard1787

dismissala1806

demission1811

turn-away1858

1616 T. Gainsford Hist. Trebizond iv. 301 The discharge of the Zagarians, and dismissing Philano.

1662 R. L'Estrange Memento i. iii. 13 Immediately upon the Discharge of his Majesties Forces, the Scots brake forth into fresh Insolencies.

1677 R. Gilpin Dæmonol. Sacra iii. xix. 162 Positive Discharges (like that of Christ in the same Case, Get thee hence Satan).

1747 Hist. Rise, Progress, & Tendency of Patriotism 62 He who us'd to be huzza'd..At his Discharge from this Political Hospital, and the Perfection of his Cure, passed down with all the Tranquillity imaginable.

1805 Trial Samuel Chase I. 254 Please to inform this honorable court whether you did, or did not, on the part of colonel Harvie, make an application for his discharge from the jury ; and on what ground that application was made?

1851 Trans. Med. & Physical Soc. Bombay 248 He stated that since his discharge from hospital he had used spirituous liquors moderately, had been to Goa, and been exposed to the inclemencies of weather.

1928 E. A. Powell Embattled Boarders ii. 34 Upon his discharge from hospital he resumed work.

2009 Herald Sun (Austral.) (Nexis) 19 Oct. 14 Mr McGarvie had been lax in assessing and dealing with Mr Scanlon's misconduct, failed to raise adequate objections or seek a discharge of the jury.

a. The action of freeing from or removing a load or burden; esp. unloading of a ship; offloading of cargo.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > travel by water > transportation by water > [noun] > unloading of vessel or cargo

unlading1427

unshipping1497

discharge1527

lossing1531

discharging1666

unlivery1692

1527 Statutes Prohemium Iohannis Rastell (new ed.) f. ccxxxiiii^v A man may charge tyn wher it pleasyth him but the discharg shalbe at calice.

1580 C. Hollyband Treasurie French Tong Passe-porte, a bill of discharge for any marchandise.

1621 Lawes E. India Co. cclv. 57 They shall at the full discharge of euery Ship, goe downe into the Hold, diligently to search, that nothing doe remaine betweene the Seelings.

1721 Let. to Friend from Merchant 7 The Lighters and Boatmen who were employed in the Discharge of the Ship.

1794 Gentleman's Mag. June 569/1 Our vessels are not permitted to go from the British ports in the Islands without giving security..for the discharge of the cargo in some other British or a neutral port.

1823 T. Thornton 5 Lett. on Customs 11 No other individual had authority to issue orders for the discharge of goods from the custody of the Crown's officers.

1873 in Trans. Hist. Soc. Lancs. & Cheshire 13 149 Tallies in copper..were issued by the authorities, and one given by the overlooker to each carter upon the discharge of his load.

1891 Law Times 92 78/2 The discharge of her cargo began on the 14th Nov.

1912 E. J. Clapp Port of Hamburg iii. 50 A ship with dutiable wares must suspend the discharge of her cargo during night hours.

1989 Containerisation Internat. Mar. 11/2 For the present, the call is for discharge of northbound cargoes only.

2012 West Briton (Nexis) 9 Feb. 26 Friday evening, Mikhanik Fomin, having completed the discharge of her cargo, sailed for the northern Russian port of Murmansk.

†b. A place at which cargo is unloaded. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

1536 R. Copland tr. P. Garcie Rutter of See (new ed.) sig. e8 A Shyp hoysseth up at the dyscharge & lyeth drye.

a1544 R. Barlow tr. M. Fernández de Enciso Brief Summe Geogr. (1932) 85 This is the best part of all this cost and where most shippis do repare. Here is the discharge of the marchants that come out of ethiope and arabia felix.

7. The action of removing a pecuniary obligation or liability; payment of a debt, expense, etc.

ΘΚΠ

society > trade and finance > payment > payment of debt > [noun]

satisfaction1398

acquittance?a1400

amortizement1439

financec1460

discharge1534

clearing1579

settlement1729

discharging1735

settling1761

liquidation1786

extinguishment1796

amortization1810

service1817

amortizing1840

extinction1845

clearance1858

pay-off1864

admortization1903

1534 G. Ferrers tr. Bk. Magna Carta f. 106^v And it shalbe lefull vnto hym duryng the same quarter to sell his landes and tenementes for the dyscharge his dettes.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) v. v. 263 Oh the charity of a penny Cord..you haue no true Debitor, and Creditor but it: of what's past, is, and to come, the discharge.

1688 in Pennsylvania Arch. (1852) I. 104 Help us w^th some money ffor the Discharge of the Great Expence wee are at.

1777 Gentleman's Mag. Apr. 151/1 The discharge of the King's debts incurred by the insufficiency of the civil list.

1809 T. Jefferson Writings (1830) IV. 136 The discharge of the debt, therefore, is vital to the destinies of our government.

1888 J. Bryce Amer. Commonw. II. xliii. 140 Providing for the discharge of existing liabilities.

1904 Economist 6 Mar. 539/1 After payment of £4,569 6s for claims and after discharge of expenses..there resulted a balance of £2,437 3s 8d.

1959 Philos. Q. 9 95 The pounds, shillings and pence..which are used in the everyday discharge of debts.

2001 N. Tadmor Family & Friends 176 He also left his remaining personal estate to be divided equally between his wife and his son Thomas, after discharge of debt.

a. concrete. That which is emitted or poured forth; (Medicine) matter issuing from an abscess, wound, body orifice, etc.; a substance of this nature; a secretion, an excretion, an exudate. Cf. discharge v. 12.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > discharge or flux > [noun] > discharge of putrid matter

yousterc725

screevinga1400

gotour14..

mattering?c1450

gleet1535

ichor1651

discharge1678

gleeting1684

pyorrhoea1787

lymph1800

1577 W. Harrison Hist. Descr. Islande Brit. ii. i. f. 48^v/2, in R. Holinshed Chron. I The Charwell..receiueth the discharge of dyuers ryllettes, in one bottome before it come at Clifton.

1678 G. Harvey Casus Medico-chirurgicus 154 There was an intermission of the discharge, until there was a sufficient quantity regendred, which would then again be cast off by Urine.

1727 Philos. Trans. (abridged ed.) 7 216 (title) A Purulent Discharge.

1787 Med. Comm. 1786 2nd Decade 1 313 At the following period she was too weak to have the discharge.

1804 J. Abernethy Surg. Observ. 223 I directed that this discharge should be pressed out..and a poultice applied.

1850 Ecclesiologist 10 415 He has repeatedly seen the putrid discharge from the coffin dripping down along the clothes of the undertaker's men who carried it.

1878 Macmillan's Mag. Jan. 245/1 The flood discharge of the Polar River.

1937 Jrnl. Negro Educ. 6 367/1 There is an active, pussy discharge from the canal.

1968 Brit. Jrnl. Plastic Surg. 21 395 The common discharges from wounds are blood and plasma.

2010 Your Cat Feb. 54/2 Small amounts of dark brown discharge in the ear is likely to be wax.

b. The action or fact of emitting, or pouring forth; emission, ejection. Also: the rate or amount of emission.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > letting or sending out > [noun] > emission

deliverancea1398

puttinga1398

voidinga1425

effusionc1477

vent?1507

evaporation1555

delivery1588

extramission1613

extromission1615

ejaculation1625

emissiona1626

discharge1653

disclusion1656

voidance1672

emitting1693

spout1771

evolution1783

emanation1822

1653 W. Harvey Anat. Exercitations xxxix. 191 The brevity and rectitude of the Cocks spermatical Vessels do conduce to the nimbler discharge of the Seed.

1695 J. Woodward Ess. Nat. Hist. Earth 145 Wherever there are any extraordinary Discharges of this [subterraneous] Fire, there also are the neighbouring Springs hotter than ordinary.

1783 P. Pott Chirurg. Wks. (new ed.) I. 309 The discharge of this mucus.

1823 J. Badcock Domest. Amusem. 180 And give a more easy issue or discharge to the water.

1830 H. Kater & D. Lardner Treat. Mechanics xvii. 230 If..the supply from the pump be less than the discharge from the pipe.

1880 S. Haughton Six Lect. Physical Geogr. iii. 141 This gives a discharge of water to the southward, equal to 32·28 cubic miles per hour.

1925 Town Planning Rev. 11 174 The discharge of effluent from tanneries.

1989 J. McPhee Control of Nature (1991) 22 A blurt of water twenty times the discharge of the Amazon River.

2010 P. K. Parua Ganga Introd. xix Increasing the upland discharge by diverting water from the Ganga into a long and wide feeder canal.

c. A place where something flows out or is poured forth; spec. the mouth of a river, lake, etc. In later use also: an opening through which a liquid, gas, etc., is emitted; an outlet, a vent. Cf. discharge v. 12c.

ΘΚΠ

the world > the earth > water > rivers and streams > system > [noun] > mouth or outfall

mouthlOE

issue1423

firthc1425

estuary15..

fall1511

port1555

inset1559

water mouth1574

open1582

emboguing1603

ostium1611

inver1615

outfall1629

ostiary1646

influx1652

disclosure1660

discharge1688

waterfoot1730

outflux1739

embouchure1792

sortie1809

beal1819

debouchure1832

salting-place1842

embouchement1844

debouchment1859

ria1887

1688 R. Morden Geogr. Rectified (ed. 2) 88 No River whatsoever, so far from its discharge into the Sea, affordeth more Naval Vessels of strength and sufficiency for Fight.

1798 T. Pennant View of Hindoostan II. 110 The water contained in them [sc. rivers] is increased by dams made across their discharges.

1808 Z. M. Pike Acct. Exped. Sources Mississippi iii. App. 6 From its sources to its discharge into the head of the gulf of California.

1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth vi, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. III. 143 On the meadow at the Ballough, that is, the discharge of the lake into the river.

1897 Preserv. Fisheries in Waters Contiguous to U.S. & Canada 86 in U.S. Congress. Serial Set (54th Congr., 2nd Sess.: House of Representatives Doc. 315) LVIII Near the discharge of the lake the sturgeon is the most valuable fish.

1946 A. A. Vasiliev Russia 139 The Black River..after its junction with the river Athyras and at its discharge into the Propontis, forms the Gulf of Tchekmedje.

1964 Jrnl. Amer. Water Wks. Assoc. 56 1493/2 The chlorinator should be put on the tank discharge rather than ahead of the tank.

2000 Ecol. Applic. 10 1148/2 The river flows from 960 m in elevation to 400 m at its discharge.

2003 Princ. Home Inspection: Syst. & Standards xi. 672 The wind pushes the extension into an orientation that allows the exhaust discharge to face away from the wind.

9. The action of firing a firearm, launching a missile, etc.; an instance of this. Also figurative. Cf. discharge v. 8. negligent discharge: see the first element.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > [noun] > discharging of missile weapon

shooting?c1225

shotec1330

shot1377

delivery1588

discharge1591

1591 W. Garrard & R. Hitchcock Arte of Warre 5 A ready Souldier will alwayes foresee that the toutch-hole be so wide, as the Pouder without in the Pan may haue free concourse to that within the Peece, thereby to hasten more speedy discharge.

1596 W. Raleigh Let. 21 June (1999) 147 I only answered everie dischardge with the blur of a trumpet and not otherwise.

1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 i. i. 57 By discharge of their artillery.

1653 H. Cogan tr. F. M. Pinto Voy. & Adventures xxii. 79 Without any noise or discharge of Ordnance.

1760 S. Fielding Ophelia I. xiv. 100 I had stood her Discharge of Nonsense.

1831 J. W. Croker in Croker Papers 8 Feb. (1884) II I am as convinced..as I am that the discharge of my gun will follow the pulling the trigger.

1848 H. H. Wilson Hist. Brit. India 1805–35 III. ii. 76 The howitzers were then brought up, and after a few discharges, the work was taken in flank.

1891 Daily News 7 Oct. 5/3 The gun is hoisted for firing, and immediately upon the discharge falls back into position.

1909 R. D. Paine Ships & Sailors Old Salem xxx. 629 The ceremony..was concluded by loud discharges of fireworks and the crash of gongs.

1986 Airgun World Sept. 49/3 The smooth discharge of the slimmed down HW80 I was using sent the pellet true to the target.

2010 S. Junger War iii. ii. 213 We..started with an AK... Al said it has no internal recoil, so the entire force of the discharge goes straight into your shoulder.

10. The action or an act of giving vent to words, feelings, etc.; release or expression of pent up emotion, pain, etc.

ΚΠ

a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) ii. i. 37 The wretched annimall heau'd forth such groanes That their discharge did stretch his leatherne coat Almost to bursting.

1665 R. South Serm. preached before Court 15 Weeping..is the discharge of a big and a swelling grief.

1681 T. Otway Souldiers Fortune Epil. 71 The discharge of Passions much opprest.

1768 D. Bellamy Ethic Amusem. i. 32 Your last discharge of grief was levelled against fortune, accusing her of a partial distribution of rewards and punishments.

1800 Spirit Public Jrnls. 1799 III. 377 The ears of delicate people may not be offended with such copious discharges of oaths and curses.

1896 Amer. Jrnl. Psychol. 7 302 The instinctive underly of the females causes wooing and obstructs the discharge of the sex passion and sublimates it.

1934 W. B. Wells tr. M. Galvez Holy Wednesday xiii. 113 Father Solanas swelled the surrounding air with the titanic discharge of another sigh.

1962 Ethnology 1 522 The emotional cathartic discharge of repressed feelings.

2000 Village Voice (Nexis) 5 Dec. 125 An idealism that..found satisfaction as much from the discharge of anger as from practical application of it.

†11. Architecture. A structure or architectural feature used to relieve the weight or pressure of features above it. Cf. discharge v. 13. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > framework of building > [noun] > members of

pan1284

balka1300

lacec1330

pautre1360

dorman1374

rib1378

montant1438

dormant?1454

transom1487

ground-pillar?a1500

barge-couple1562

spar foot1579

frankpost1587

tracing1601

sleeper1607

bressumer1611

master-beam1611

muntin1611

discharge1620

dormer1623

mounting post1629

tassel1632

baufrey1640

pier1663

storey post1663

breastplate?1667

mudsill1685

template1700

brow-post1706

brow-stone1761

runner1772

stretching beam1776

pole plate1787

sabliere1800

frame stud1803

bent1815

mounting1819

bond-timber1823

storey rod1823

wall-hold1833

wall-strap1833

truss-block1883

sleeper-beam1937

shell1952

1620 in D. Yaxley Researcher's Gloss. Hist. Documents E. Anglia (2003) 66 Sawing lintles & discharges with dore cases and dores.

1679 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. ix. Explan. Terms 166 A Brick-wall or a Post trim'd up to a peece of Timber over charg'd for its Bearing, is a Discharge to that Bearing.

1823 P. Nicholson New Pract. Builder 222 Discharge, a post trimmed up under a beam, or part of a building which is weak.

†12. The action or fact of disappearing or dissipating; disappearance, dispersal. Obsolete. rare.Apparently only in Bacon.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > invisibility > [noun] > vanishing or disappearing

vanishingc1405

vading1570

disparition1597

disappearing1610

disparence1617

disappearance1625

discharge1626

evaporating1630

evanishing1633

vanish1650

disapparition1657

evanescency1664

evanescence1751

mizzle1789

evanitiona1797

evanishment1797

evaporation1824

occultation1825

vanishment1831

furling1836

disappearing trick1870

disappearing act1884

fade-away1911

fade-out1924

1626 F. Bacon Sylva Sylvarum §92 The Speedy Depredation of Aire vpon watry Moisture, and Version of the same into Aire, appeareth in nothing more visible, than in the sudden Discharge, or vanishing, of a little Cloud of Breath, or Vapour, from Glasse.

1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §92 Marke well the Discharge of that Cloude; And you shall see it euer breake vp, first in the Skirts, and last in the middest.

13. A release of electricity from a charged object; a passage of electricity through the air or other gas, esp. when accompanied by emission of light; the conversion of chemical energy to electric energy in a battery; (Biology) the passage of an action potential along a nerve fibre or other excitable cell.brush, gas, glow, Townsend discharge, etc.: see the first element.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > discharge of electricity > [noun]

explosion1745

discharge1746

1746 W. Watson Sequel Exper. Observ. Nature & Prop. Electr. 49 You proceed until the whole electricity of the water is dissipated; which sometimes is not done, under an hundred discharges.

1794 G. Adams Lect. Nat. & Exper. Philos. IV. xlvii. 340 The person who holds the discharger feels nothing from the discharge.

1836–9 Todd's Cycl. Anat. & Physiol. II. 82/2 The shock caused by an electrical fish is said to be produced by a discharge of its electricity.

1847 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 137 239 The nervous action by which the discharge is determined under the influence of the will, resides in the fourth, or electric lobe of the brain [of electric fishes].

1899 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. VI. 514 The prolonged natural discharges of neurons underlying willed and natural movements.

1922 Railway Signal Engineer Dec. 487/2 Some of the lamps were failing, due to static discharges, caused by lightning.

1974 V. B. Mountcastle et al. Med. Physiol. (ed. 13) I. xviii. 568/2 The discharges of auditory nerve fibers and of neurons of the cochlear nuclear complex.

1991 Personal Computer World Feb. 163/3 The batteries..have a much reduced capacity for the first few charge/discharge cycles.

2010 Sunday Times 31 Oct. 26 The hardware that controls the charge and discharge of batteries.

14. Law. The action or an act of rendering a legal instrument or document no longer legally binding; cancellation or annulment of an order of court, termination of a contract, etc. Also: something which brings about such a termination. Cf. discharge v. 9.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > rule of law > illegality > [noun] > legal invalidity or faultiness > annulment or abrogation

reversing?a1425

repealing1431

abatementc1436

cancellingc1440

annullation1449

defeasance1456

voidance1488

reversal1489

reduction1496

repeal1503

extinguishment1528

disannulling1533

abrogation1535

obrogation1535

unplacing1554

nullity1555

reversement1572

reclaim1604

disaffirmancea1626

avoidance1628

rescinding1638

cassating1647

vacating1648

voiding1649

defease1650

annulment1651

unlawing1651

defeat1657

vacuating1684

peremption1726

invalidation1771

rescindment1783

supersession1790

disaffirmation1827

disenactment1859

discharge1892

1772 R. Burn Justice of Peace (ed. 12) III. 473 The discharge of the order doth not determine where the pauper is settled.

1837 E. R. Daniell Pract. High Court Chancery I. 657 The part of his notice of motion which asked the discharge of the order upon which his first contempt was incurred.

1892 Sir N. Lindley in Law Times Rep. 67 150/1 The discharge of the order..ought not to be granted except upon the terms of bringing the money into court.

1896 W. L. Clark Clark's Handbk. Law Contracts (ed. 2) ix. 475 Where the continued existence of a specific thing is essential to the performance of the contract, its destruction from no fault of either party operates as a discharge.

1946 Jrnl. Compar. Legislation & Internat. Law 28 19 Both parties refused to accept the only remedy which the doctrine of impossibility offered, namely the discharge of the contract.

1987 Michigan Law Rev. 85 1435 Discharge of contracts—including not only discharge by agreement, but also discharge by performance, by breach,..and by impossibility.

2005 Birmingham Post (Nexis) 7 Oct. 6 He said the ruling would remain in force until the prosecution applied for any discharge of the order when ‘deemed appropriate’.

15. Dyeing. Cf. Compounds 1c.

a. The act or process of removing the colour with which a fabric is charged.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > colour > colouring > dyeing > [noun] > removing dye

discharge1808

discharger1815

1808 W. Nicholson Dict. Pract. & Theoret. Chem. at Dyeing This discharge of the colour is performed nearly in the same way as bleaching.

1854 J. Scoffern in Orr's Circle Sci. Chem. 422 Some varieties of calico-printing by the process of discharge.

1945 Jrnl. Soc. Dyers & Colourists 61 323/2 (table) Chrome mordant dyes for printing, which withstand hydrosulphite and can be used for coloured discharges.

2008 R. Gillman Create your own Hand-printed Cloth vi. 63/2 Use an old iron that is dedicated to discharge.

b. An agent used for this purpose; = discharger n. 3. Cf. discharge v. 15. Now rare.

ΚΠ

1814 A. Rees Cycl. (1819) XXVIII. at Printing on calico The discharge is printed upon the mordants before the goods are dyed.

1874 W. Crookes Pract. Handbk. Dyeing 317 By the word discharge is designated any compound or mixture which has the property of bleaching, or taking away, the colour already communicated to a fabric.

1923 Color Trade Jrnl. May 396/2 The discharges which are specified in detail in their Circular No. 308 contain..glycerine and approximately 20 percent of the weight of the printing color in potash and anthraquinone in paste.

Compounds

C1. General attributive.

a. In sense 5, as discharge book, discharge certificate, discharge paper, discharge summary, etc.

ΚΠ

1740 Rep. Gen. Comm. Corporation Hosp. for Young Children 16 A Placing out, Death, and Discharge Book.

1790 Q. Craufurd Hist. Bastille 36 The discharge-book, contained the prisoner's receipt for his effects, which were always delivered to him when he was set at liberty.

1865 Lowell (Mass.) Daily Citizen & News 12 July A discharge paper carried in a pocket..is very liable to get lost.

1891 R. Kipling City Dreadful Night 26 His statements tally with the discharge-certificate of the United States.

1903 M. B. Booth After Prison—What? vii. 166 We find them work..and report to the prison, until we have the pleasure of handing them their final discharge papers.

1957 Amer. Jrnl. Nursing 57 601/1 The remaining part of the chart is divided into spaces with the headings as follows: condition on admission..medications, progress notes, and discharge summary.

2012 N.Y. Times (Nexis) 3 July 7 I had to travel in and out of Cyprus with my army discharge papers.

b. In sense 8, as discharge pipe, discharge tank, discharge valve, etc.

ΚΠ

1776 R. Burn Justice of Peace (ed. 13) 132 Every distiller shall..provide and affix sufficient locks, keys, and fastenings..to the discharge cock of every wash still.

1790 A. Hamilton Enq. into Princ. Taxation i. 46 By the Distillery Law 1782, it was required that the cocks of the discharge pipes, should be rivetted.

1864 Daily Tel. 26 July The discharge culverts, through which the sewage is poured into the river, are visible only at the time of low-water.

1910 Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc. 49 182 As soon as the discharge valve is opened, the mixed grout is forced through the hose.

1986 Guardian (Nexis) 28 Jan. The uranium, amounting to a few kilograms..was found in a discharge tank of waste water.

2010 H. W. Stanford Effective Building Maintenance 304 The discharge pipe will be hot for up to 30 feet downstream of the trap.

c. Dyeing. In sense 15, as discharge paste, discharge process, discharge printing, etc.

ΚΠ

1836 Penny Cycl. VI. 155/1 The goods..are..impressed with the discharge paste by means of the engraved block or cylinder.

1872 W. Crookes tr. R. von Wagner Handbk. Chem. Technol. vi. 612 Calicos may be printed... by resist or discharge printing.

1920 F. H. Thorp & W. K. Lewis Outl. Industr. Chem. (ed. 3) ii. 550 In the discharge style, the dyed cloth is printed with a discharge paste, leaving a white figure on a colored ground.

1980 M. V. Schwalbach & J. A. Schwalbach Silk-screen Printing 104/2 Thorough washing and rinsing of the fabric is necessary to remove all of the discharge paste containing the bleach.

2004 Drapers Rec. & Menswear 24 Apr. 15/3 The fabrics, including the vintage process, are reactive dyed to enable discharge printing and to ensure colourfastness.

C2.

discharge lamp n. a lamp in which light is produced by means of a discharge tube.

ΚΠ

1893 Electr. Engineer 16 Aug. 156/2 A rheostat with discharge lamps and the necessary switch.

1953 Economica 20 201 A good deal of competition had, in fact, made itself evident in the industry, particularly in the manufacture of discharge lamps.

2008 Washington Post (Nexis) 24 Jan. (Home section) 5 Rooting and growth will be best in spring, when more light is available; you can also grow the plant under a high-intensity discharge lamp.

discharge tube n. a gas-filled tube in which an electric discharge can be produced between two electrodes; cf. gas discharge tube n. at gas discharge n. Compounds 2.

ΚΠ

1880 London, Edinb., & Dublin Philos. Mag. & Jrnl. Sci. Sept. 178 A discharge-tube in which the terminal wire b represents the anode.

1936 Discovery Dec. 365/2 The methods of determining with accuracy the masses of swift charged atoms and molecules produced in the discharge tube.

2000 N. Taylor Laser ix. 56 This emission of resonance radiation takes place in an electrical discharge tube, like a neon sign.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2013; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

dischargev.

Brit.

/dɪsˈtʃɑːdʒ/, U.S.

/dɪsˈtʃɑrdʒ/

Forms: Middle English dischange (transmission error), Middle English dischargied (past participle), Middle English–1500s discharche, Middle English–1600s descharge, Middle English–1600s discarge, Middle English–1600s dyscharge, Middle English– discharge, 1500s disharge (transmission error), 1500s dyscharche, 1500s dyschardg, 1500s dyschardge, 1500s dyscharggyd (past participle), 1500s–1600s discarg, 1500s–1600s dischardg, 1500s–1600s dischardge, 1500s–1600s discharg, 1600s dicharge; English regional (Leicestershire) 1800s– dischaa'ge; Scottish pre-1700 descharge, pre-1700 dischairg, pre-1700 dischairge, pre-1700 dischearge, pre-1700 discherge, pre-1700 1700s– discharge.

Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: French descargier , descharger ; dis- prefix, charge v.

Etymology: Partly (especially in early use) < Anglo-Norman descargier, deskarger, dekargir, Anglo-Norman and Middle French decharger, descharger, deschargier, descarger, Middle French decharchier, descherger, (northern) descarchier, descargier (French décharger ) < des- des- prefix + carger , charger , chargier , etc. charge v., and partly (especially in later use) < dis- prefix + charge v.Senses of the French word likely to have influenced the English word include: to remove (something) (end of the 11th cent. in Old French in a gloss on Exodus 32:3 in Rashi, with reference to the children of Israel taking off gold jewellery from their bodies in order to make the golden calf), to remove a load from (a beast of burden, ship, vehicle, etc.) (a1160), to unload (cargo, passengers) (beginning of the 13th cent.), to release (a person) from a task, obligation or responsibility (c1220), to rid or free (a person) of something unwanted (first half of the 13th cent. or earlier), to release (a prisoner) from prison (c1275 or earlier), to exculpate, exonerate (a person) (c1283; a1321 or earlier used reflexively), to release (a person) from debt or a financial obligation (1287; 1291 or earlier used reflexively), to resign from or quit (an office or post) (1370 or earlier, used reflexively), to deprive or dispossess (a person) of (something) (1435), to vent or release (anger, emotion, etc.) (a1473), to dismiss (a person) from office (beginning of the 15th cent. or earlier), to fire (a firearm) (1477), (of a weapon, bomb, etc.) to go off (a1483, reflexive), (of a liquid, gas, etc.) to flow out, escape (1559). Compare post-classical Latin discarricare (6th cent. as discarecare , discaregare ), (with elision of the unstressed medial vowel) discarcare , discargare (11th cent.; frequently from 12th cent. in British sources), and ( < French) dischargiare (from 13th cent. in British sources), all in sense ‘to unload’. Compare also Old Occitan descargar , Catalan descarregar (14th cent.), Spanish descargar (mid 13th cent.), Portuguese descarregar (1228), Italian discaricare (c1300). In sense 13a originally after French †descharge, noun (now décharge : see discharge n.) in its specific use in architecture (compare discharge n. 11). In sense 15b originally after French décharger (1611 in Cotgrave (in couleur deschargée bleached colour), 1680 reflexive, and 1829 used intransitively, in this sense).

a. transitive. To remove a load from; esp. to unload (a ship, vehicle, etc.). Also intransitive: (of a ship, etc.) to be unloaded; to put off cargo, passengers, etc. Cf. recharge v. 1a. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > travel by water > transportation by water > transport by water [verb (transitive)] > put off or discharge (from) a ship

landa1300

uncharge13..

dischargec1384

lightc1400

unladec1436

unshipa1450

loss1482

disbark1552

defreight1555

unbark1555

disload1568

inshore1577

unfreight1580

disembark1582

to bring aboarda1600

unload1599

dislade1609

shore?1615

unliver1637

debark1655

to take offa1688

society > travel > travel by water > transportation by water > be transported by water [verb (intransitive)] > unload

dischargea1535

unlade1547

unload1678

disburdenc1820

c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Deeds xxvii. 38 And thei..discargeden [Royal dischargeden, a1425 New Coll. Oxf. dischargiden; L. adleviabant] the schipp, castinge whete in to the see.

?a1425 (c1400) Mandeville's Trav. (Titus C.xvi) (1919) 201 The mares retornen..with hire charges of gold & þan men dischargen [Fr. deschargent] hem.

1481 W. Caxton tr. Siege & Conqueste Jerusalem (1893) clxxvi. 260 The maronners of Gene receyued them moche honorably..and discharged theyr shippes.

a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 43/1 No manne vnoccupyed, somme lading..somme descharging, somme commynge for more.

1576 W. Lambarde Perambulation of Kent 146 At the first, ships were accustomed to discharge [1596 discarge] at Lymne.

1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. 193 Himselfe saw at Puteoli, a certain ship discharged of Elephants embarked therein.

1700 P. Rycaut Hist. Turks beginning Year 1679 247/1 The Boats being emptied and discharged, were all burnt, as needless and cumbersome.

1712 W. Rogers Cruising Voy. 20 We..discharg'd the Bark, and parted the small Cargo between our two Ships.

1753 ‘W. Bingfield’ Trav. I. i. 16 The Living had not Strength left to discharge the Ship of the Dead.

1839 Tait's Mag. July 426/2 Thieves, dock-wallopers, hawkers, and men who pilfer in discharging vessels.

1891 Law Times 92 78/2 A strike took place amongst the men employed to discharge the vessel.

1922 Atlantic Reporter 116 411/1 It was held that it [sc. a terminal carrier] exercised reasonable diligence, and discharged the ship in a reasonable time in view of the unusual conditions.

2011 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 6 June a16/4 I would hear him say..‘There is a train in the station discharging.’

b. transitive. To take out or off; to remove (a load) from; esp. to unload (cargo, goods, passengers, etc.).

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > transport > [verb (intransitive)] > unload

dischargec1405

unload1587

offload1850

unlade1862

the world > space > place > removal or displacement > extraction > extract [verb (transitive)]

unteeOE

to take out of ——c1175

forthdraw?a1300

out-takea1350

to take outa1382

excludec1400

dischargec1405

to get outc1432

tryc1440

extraya1450

out-have1458

to take fortha1550

extract1570

reave1640

eliciate1651

roust1658

uncork1740

to put out of ——1779

to break out1840

c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Parson's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) §289 The same harm doon som tyme the smale dropes of water þ^t entreth thurgh a litel creuesse in to the Thurrok, & in the botme of the ship, if men be so necligent þ^t men ne descharge hem nat by tyme.

c1436 Domesday Ipswich (BL Add. 25011) in T. Twiss Black Bk. Admiralty (1873) II. 179 (MED) For every tunne..chargyd on carte or discharged [Fr. descharge] in the same toun, ij d. ob.

1479 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith Eng. Gilds (1870) 425 All smalwodde to be discharged at the Bak.

1582 N. Lichefield tr. F. L. de Castanheda 1st Bk. Hist. Discouerie E. Indias xlii. 96 That ther were setled a Factorie, to discharge the Merchandize the which were appointed for that place.

1622 G. de Malynes Consuetudo i. xxi. 141 The Merchant likewise doth couenant to pay..primage, and petilodmanidge to the master for the vse of his Cables to discharge the goods.

1699 W. Dampier Voy. & Descr. i. i. 4 Ships do usually take in water..yet they do as frequently discharge it again at some of these Islands, and take in better.

1720 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1852) III. 112 Preventing Sickly Vessels from discharging their goods or passengers.

1768 J. Cremer Jrnl. 15 July in R. R. Bellany Ramblin' Jack (1936) 144 On or about three weeks we got to Moahoan & Discharged all that was for that place.

1840 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast xx. 198 They came to anchor, moored ship, and commenced discharging hides and tallow.

1840 W. M. Thackeray Paris Sketch Bk. I. 2 The two coaches draw near, and from thence..trunks, children..and an affectionate wife, are discharged on the quay.

1897 M. Kingsley Trav. W. Afr. 139 Stopping at little villages to land passengers or at little sub-factories to discharge cargo.

1927 Times 5 Apr. p. xvi/3 Public service vehicles shall take up or discharge their passengers and goods in bays or pull-offs built for them.

1930 J. Masefield Wanderer of Liverpool 49 The ship discharged her chalk..and loaded case-oil.

2003 Limnol. & Oceanogr. 48 1707/2 They discharge cargo and load ballast water at a series of ports.

†2.

a. transitive. To relieve or free from something considered burdensome; to rid or free of something unwanted. Obsolete.In quot. c1384 intransitive with object implied.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > place > absence > fact of being unoccupied > leave unoccupied [verb (transitive)] > clear out > clear of something undesirable

winnowc825

purge1340

dischargec1384

weedc1400

devoida1500

rid?1526

shift1567

free1613

scuffle1766

delouse1942

c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Royal) (1850) James v. 15 The preier of feith shal saue the sijke, and the Lord shal discharge, or make him liȝt [L. alleviabit].

a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) Prol l. 302 Thei [sc. the clergy] wolde hemself descharge Of poverte and become grete.

a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xvii. xcviii. 989 The appil tree waxeþ bareyne but it be..descharged of [water] bowes and of superfluite.

a1438 Bk. Margery Kempe i. 116 I wil not letyn þe gon hens..les þan þu wil gon to my Lord of Lynkoln..in-as-meche as þu art in hys jurisdiccyon, þat I may be dischargyd of þe.

c1450 (a1400) Orologium Sapientiæ in Anglia (1888) 10 330 Mye love descharges hem þat beþ ouerleyde with þe heve birþene of sinnes.

1555 W. Waterman tr. J. Boemus Fardle of Facions ii. viii. sig. Kviii^v The Yndiens alone, neuer discharged theim selues of any ouerplus of issue, as other haue done: but alwaie kepte their owne ofspryng at home in their owne countrie.

1576 A. Fleming tr. Cicero in Panoplie Epist. 89 The grauitie of your style in writing, which discharged me of despaire.

1600 J. Pory tr. J. Leo Africanus Geogr. Hist. Afr. ii. 157 He is bound..to discharge the citie of all leprous persons.

1658 J. Evelyn tr. N. de Bonnefons French Gardiner 92 You need onely discharge them of the dead wood.

1712 J. James tr. A.-J. Dézallier d'Argenville Theory & Pract. Gardening 188 At that Time the Earth being wholly discharged of its Moisture, is very dry.

1736 N. Bailey Dict. Domesticum 355 Discharge the fish of its scales and entrails.

1862 F. Hall tr. N. N. Gore Rational Refut. Hindu Philos. Syst. 103 The assertion..that whatever has misery for a quality can never be discharged of it.

b. transitive. To deprive or dispossess (a person) of something. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > loss > taking away > take away [verb (transitive)] > deprive (of)

benimc890

to do of ——eOE

bedealc1000

disturbc1230

bereavec1275

reave?a1300

acquitc1300

benemec1300

deprivec1330

privea1382

subvertc1384

oppressc1395

abridgea1400

to bate of, from1399

lessa1400

nakena1400

dischargea1425

privatec1425

to bring outa1450

abatec1450

sever?1507

spulyie?1507

denude1513

disable1529

distrain1530

destituec1540

destitutec1540

defalk1541

to turn out of ——1545

discomfit1548

wipe1549

nude1551

disannul?a1556

bereft1557

diminish1559

benoom1563

joint1573

uncase1583

rid1585

disarm1590

visitc1592

ease1600

dispatch1604

unfurnisha1616

rig1629

retrench1640

unbecomea1641

disentail1641

cashier1690

twin1722

mulct1748

fordo1764

to do out of ——1796

to cut out1815

bate1823

deprivate1832

devoid1878

a1425 (?a1300) Kyng Alisaunder (Linc. Inn) (1952) l. 3836 Y am of Perce deschargid [c1400 Laud deshereted] Of Mede and of Assyre aquyted.

a1439 J. Lydgate Fall of Princes (Bodl. 263) iii. 3744 Wher shal ther good be spent? Sum oon..shal hem therof discharge.

1520 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxf. (1880) 26 The same person..shalbe dischargied of his ffraunches.

c. transitive. To put an end to; to get rid of, do away with. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > memory > effacement, obliteration > cancellation, revocation > annul, cancel, revoke [verb (transitive)]

fordoOE

allayOE

withdrawc1290

withclepe13..

again-callc1390

to call againc1390

repealc1390

revokec1400

unmakec1400

rive1415

annulc1425

abroge1427

uncommandc1430

discharge?a1439

retreatc1443

retract1501

cancela1513

abrogate?1520

dissolve1526

extinct1531

rescind1531

abrenounce1537

infringe1543

recall1565

unwrite1577

extinguish1590

exauctorate1593

relinquish1594

unact1594

to strike off1597

undecide1601

unpass1606

to take off1609

to draw back1610

reclaim1615

to put back1616

abrenunciate1618

unrip1622

supersedeate1641

to set off1642

unassure1643

unorder1648

to ask away1649

disdetermine1651

unbespeak1661

undecree1667

reassumea1675

off-break1702

circumduct1726

raise1837

resiliate1838

denounce1841

disorder1852

pull1937

a1439 J. Lydgate Fall of Princes (Bodl. 263) i. l. 6921 Lat kyndnesse our loue nat so discharge.

1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Surueyeng xi. f. 12^v Mater in writyng, may nat be discharged by..bare wordes.

1561 in D. H. Fleming Reg. Christian Congregation St. Andrews (1889) I. 134 Lang efter the said citie wes reformed..all..papisticall jurisdiccione abolesched..the consistorie hows dischergit and stekyt up.

1614 State Papers Earl of Melrose (1837) I. 148 The truce was discharged yisternicht, and sevin houres the castell beliggered.

1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §236 All this dischargeth not the wonder.

1654 E. Wolley tr. ‘G. de Scudéry’ Curia Politiæ 173 I resolved to remove and discharge the Office of the Major of the Pallace.

1732 D. Neal Hist. Puritans I. 234 The Earl of Murray..convened a Parliament..in which the Pope's authority was again discharged.

1741 S. Richardson Pamela IV. vi. 34 If it be the natural Duty of a Mother, it is a Divine Duty; and how can a Husband have Power to discharge a Divine Duty?

1778 R. Lowth Isaiah (ed. 12) Prelim. Diss. 44 We can hardly expect..more..than to be able..to discharge and eliminate the errors that have been gathering..for about a thousand years past.

1853 Deb. & Proc. Constit. Conv. State Delaware 202/1 I am disposed, for one, to restrict the power until the State shall be in a condition to discharge slavery from it forever.

1863 N. Amer. Rev. Oct. 354 Both territory and people have been alienated and transferred, and duties and liabilities discharged and abolished.

a. transitive. To relieve of a duty, debt, or other obligation; to exempt, release from; spec. to release (a bankrupt) from further legal liability for debts contracted before his or her bankruptcy. Also: to remove (an obligation, requirement, or responsibility). Chiefly with from or of.

ΘΚΠ

society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > be exempt from (a liability or obligation) [verb (transitive)] > free from obligation

freeeOE

unbind1297

quitclaima1325

acquit1340

excuse1340

loose1340

releasec1350

assoil1366

soilc1384

dischargea1387

quita1387

relieve1416

absoil1440

deliver1440

acquittance1448

quiet1450

acquiet1453

absolve?a1475

defease1475

skill1481

relax1511

redeema1513

exoner1533

exonerate1548

solvec1550

distask1592

disgage1594

upsolve1601

disoblige1603

disengage1611

to get off1623

exclude1632

supersedea1644

to let off1814

to let out1869

a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1871) III. 247 (MED) He schulde descharge [L. laxaret] þe ministres of þe temple of al manere tribute.

?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) ii. 313 (MED) Discharged wille þei be of þe grete oth þei suore.

?c1450 tr. Bk. Knight of La Tour Landry (1906) 56 She might haue saide, ‘Aske myn husbonde that questyon and not me,’ and thus she might haue discharged her of her ansuere.

a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 48/1 Neither king nor Pope can geue any place such a priueledge, that it shall discharge a man of his dettes being able to paye.

1583 Ld. Burghley Execution of Iustice sig. Eiii^v Whether the pope may discharge y^e subiectes of her Maiestie..of their othes of obedience?

1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing v. i. 310 I discharge thee of thy prisoner, and I thanke thee.

1607 R. Parker Scholasticall Disc. against Antichrist i. iii. 126 Doth not the Lawe discarg from a vowe that which hath a superfluous member.

1714 tr. French Bk. of Rates 11 We have established the Imposition of 50 Sols per Ton, on the Freight of all Strangers Ships, at the same time discharging those of our own Subjects.

1784 Form Bankrupt's Certif. in T. E. Tomlins Jacob's Law Dict. (1797) (at cited word) We..testify and declare our consent..that the said John Thomas..be discharged from his debts in pursuance of the same act.

1786 J. Bacon Liber Regis Pref. p. iii An Account of the Valuations of all the Ecclesiastical Benefices in England and Wales, which are now charged with the Payment of First Fruits and Tenths, or were lately discharged from any Payment to those Revenues, on account of the Smallness of their Income.

1800 A. Cullen Princ. Bankrupt Law iii. 386 Although a bankrupt is discharged by a certificate regularly obtained, he may preclude himself from the benefit of it, by making himself liable on a new promise.

1858 Sat. Rev. 6 448/1 We are not discharged of our duties towards our female readers by any coyness on their part.

1863 H. Cox Inst. Eng. Govt. i. viii. 95 Some boroughs were discharged by the sheriffs from sending members.

1903 O. L. Lyman Trail Grand Seigneur vii. 64 The government afterward discharged him from the obligation he had incurred.

1973 T. Christensen Divine Order iv. 123 Man can never be discharged of responsibility for his sin.

2012 Straits Times (Singapore) (Nexis) 22 Mar. The IPTO wrote to tell her that it was prepared to discharge her bankruptcy.

b. transitive. To clear or remove (an obligation, requirement, or responsibility) by fulfilling it; to pay (a debt), perform (a duty), carry out (a promise), etc.

ΘΚΠ

society > trade and finance > payment > payment of debt > pay debt [verb (transitive)]

quit?c1225

acquita1250

to pay up1434

satisfy1437

discharge1439

defease1480

persolve1548

solve1558

defray1576

affray1584

clear1600

to pay off1607

extinguish1630

to lay downa1640

wipe1668

settle1688

sink1694

retrieve1711

to clear up1726

balance1740

liquidate1755

to clear off1766

square1821

amortize1830

1439 in Collectanea Topographica & Genealogica (1838) V. 14 (MED) I wold ratther yf he lykid that he shuld haue the cc marc payid to him withinne ye firste iiij yere..And ovir that c s. to his reward and relesse and discharge that seid annuitee.

a1525 Seven S. 872 Thai..tuke of moble sic plente That all his dettis he couth discharge.

1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles II. ccxxiv. [ccxx.] 701 His entent was not to departe thens tyll euery thynge was payed and discharge [d] .

1542 N. Udall in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eminent Lit. Men (1843) 2 Only of an honest purpose to discharge my debtes.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) iv. i. 13 I will discharge my bond.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) iv. xv. 28 Death of one person, can be paide but once, And that she ha's discharg'd .

1694 A. Boyer Compl. French-master iii. xvii 102 I have often try'd in vain to discharge the promise I made you before I went away, to send you the particulars of our Journey.

1725 E. Fenton in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey I. i. 329 Soon may your Sire discharge the vengeance due.

1767 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. (new ed.) II. 141 If I am bound to pay money on any certain day, I discharge the obligation if I pay it before twelve o'clock at night.

1793 R. Bisset Biogr. Sketch Authors of Spectator 146 in Spectator 1 Sir Richard then returned home, having retired that day only to avoid his creditors, and composed the pamphlet to discharge the reckoning.

1827 H. Hallam Constit. Hist. Eng. I. vi. 363 By no means sufficient to defray his expenses, far less to discharge his debts.

1885 Law Times 79 172/1 If forbearance were shown, the defaulting solicitor would be able to discharge his liabilities.

1907 Times 4 Dec. 11/6 There were those who had not discharged their debts of honour.

1958 M. Roberts Gustavus Adolphus II. i. 43 Gustav Vasa..discharged his debt to Lübeck in goods.

2003 Contemp. Lit. 44 257 We may never fully make amends for wrongs done in the past or discharge our responsibility.

c. transitive (reflexive). To perform or fulfil a duty, responsibility, etc., and thereby remove it; to relieve oneself of an obligation by fulfilling it.

ΘΚΠ

society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > perform one's duty [verb (reflexive)]

quitc1395

quiet1450

fand1488

discharge1539

bequit1577

1539 R. Taverner tr. W. Capito Summe 150 Psalmes sig. F.ij^v Tenne thousand myllions of golde I owe the, Lord, I am not hable to paye, I can not discharge my selfe.

?1572 T. Paynell tr. Treasurie Amadis of Fraunce iii. 71 I am content to discharge me of my fidelitie and homage that I owe you. And returne to my countrie.

1656 B. Harris tr. J. N. de Parival Hist. Iron Age ii. ii. vi. 247 To discharge themselves of a part of their debts.

1760 L. Sterne Serm. Mr. Yorick II. xiii. 178 The earnest desire which he had upon the immediate receipt of this [debt of kindness], to discharge himself of it.

1824 J. Bryant Acct. Insurrection Negro Slaves Demerara p. vii The Author..conceived that, by a plain Narrative of the facts, he would discharge himself of a public duty.

1851 W. H. Seward in G. E. Baker Life W. H. Seward (1855) xxi. 277 Let us signalize an epoch so important in commerce and politics, by justly discharging ourselves for ever from the yet remaining obligations of the first and most sacred of all our national engagements.

1920 P. Lubbock Lett. Henry James I. v. 273 He often groaned under his postal burden. He discharged himself of it, in general, very late at night.

2010 S. M. Nadler Best of All Possible Worlds (new ed.) i. 16 After announcing his presence to Pomponne and thereby discharging himself of his first official order of business, Leibniz wasted no time.

†d. transitive. To pay (a creditor). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > trade and finance > payment > payment of debt > pay debt [verb (transitive)] > pay a creditor

satisfy1426

repaya1530

dischargea1560

clear1609

to meet with1854

straighten1946

a1560 A. Robsart Let. in Westm. Gaz. (1894) 21 Apr. 4/1 To make this gowne of vellet whiche I sende you..and I will se you dyscharged for all.

1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iii. ii. 271 If he had the present money to discharge the Iew, hee would not take it.

1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 392 The Husbandman..reaps the Fruit of his Labour, provided he take care to discharge his Landlord.

1793 R. Wooddeson Systematical View Laws of Eng. III. xlvii. 166 He may afterwards be liable, if the assetts of the testator or intestate prove deficient, to discharge a specialty creditor out of his own effects.

†e. transitive. To pay for (goods, services, etc.). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > trade and finance > payment > pay money or things [verb (transitive)] > bear or defray the cost of

quitc1275

maintaina1425

pay1446

fray1450

abye1503

price?a1513

be1520

to stand to ——1540

disburse1548

defray1581

discharge1587

reimburse1591

discount1647

to be at the charge(s of1655

to pay off1711

stand1808

pop1947

1587 R. Greene Euphues sig. L3^v The summe amounted not to so much as would discharge his passage into Sycilia.

1592 T. Nashe Strange Newes To Reader sig. B2 That thou mayst haue money to goe home to Trinitie Hall to discharge thy commons.

c1684 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1646 (1955) II. 505 The very next morning..discharging our Lodgings we agreed for a Coach to Carry us.

1730 J. Swift Libel on Doctor D——ny 3 Crazy Congreve scarce cou'd spare A Shilling to discharge his Chair.

1815 W. H. Ireland Scribbleomania 156 She literally was without a shilling to discharge the vehicle which had conveyed her to the metropolis.

1842 C. Whitehead Richard Savage (1845) II. iv. 218 I had discharged my lodging that morning.

†f. transitive. To account for (one's conduct, actions, etc.). Obsolete. rare.

ΚΠ

a1599 E. Spenser Canto Mutabilitie vi. xvii, in Faerie Queene (1609) sig. Hh5 He bade her..Ceasse to molest the Moone to walke at large, Or come before high Ioue, her dooings to discharge.

†g. transitive. To transfer (a responsibility, etc.) to someone else; to put (responsibility for something) on another. Cf. charge v. 16. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > be exempt from (a liability or obligation) [verb (transitive)] > transfer (a duty) to another

post1563

discharge1605

shirk1845

1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. i. vi. 195 They doo discharge On others shoulders their sweet-bitter Charge.

1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxvii. 292 Part of the fault may be discharged on the punisher.

1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis xii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 585 'Tis not a Crime t' attempt what I decree, Or if it were, discharge the Crime on me.

a. transitive (reflexive). To relieve oneself of an office or employment; to resign from or quit a post; to renounce one's duties. Chiefly with from (also †of). Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > office > withdrawing from or vacating office > vacate office [verb (reflexive)]

dischargec1425

society > occupation and work > lack of work > [verb (reflexive)] > resign

dischargec1425

c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) v. l. 2642 (MED) I wil now..Me dischange [read discharge] of al gouernaunce..septer & crowne frely I resigne.

1484 W. Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry Bk. Knight of Tower (1971) xliiii. 191 Syre I rendre and discharge me of your offyce.

c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 137 Now is tyme in this tru..To discharge me as cheftain.

1669 W. Petre tr. P. de Ribadeneyra Lives Saints 343/1 Ubaldus was much afflicted: and consulted with a most holy man whether he might not take this occasion to discharge himself of the office and dignity of Prior.

1707 W. Pearson Case Curate Penrith 19 A Clergyman..obtain'd such a Writ of Privilege to exempt him from the Office of Expenditor..as, no doubt Mr. L—in this Case might have done, to discharge Himself of the Office of Church-warden.

1839 B. McMahon Jamaica Plantership 109 I discharged myself from Hopewell, and became so disgusted with the planting line, that I made up my mind to leave it altogether.

1870 Banner of Truth (Hackensack, New Jersey) 1 Aug. 212/1 Show the reasons for discharging myself from the parochial duties of this or any other congregation.

1905 Ont. Law Rep. 9 368 He is in the position of a trustee for sale and he is unable to discharge himself from that position without the consent of his cestuis que trust.

1917 Rep. Commissioners, Inspectors & Others University Educ. (Wales) 220 in Parl. Papers 1917–18 (Cd. 8500) XII. 1 The late King, shortly after his accession, resigned, or rather discharged himself from the office [of Chancellor of the University of Wales].

b. transitive. To remove or release (a person) from office or employment; to dismiss from a post, service, etc. Frequently with from (also †of). Cf. sense 10c.In quot. 1738 with direct and indirect object.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > lack of work > [verb (transitive)] > dismiss or discharge

to put awaya1387

discharge1428

dismiss1477

to put out of wages1542

discard1589

to turn away1602

to put off1608

disemploy1619

to pay off1648

to pay off1651

to turn out1667

to turn off1676

quietus1688

strip1756

trundle1794

unshop1839

shopc1840

to lay off1841

sack1841

drop1845

to give (a person) the shoot1846

bag1848

swap1862

fire1879

to knock off1881

bounce1884

to give (a person) the pushc1886

to give (a person) the boot or the order of the boot1888

bump1899

spear1911

to strike (a medical practitioner, etc.) off the register1911

terminate1920

tramp1941

shitcan1961

pink slip1966

dehire1970

resize1975

to give a person his jotters1990

1428 in J. Raine Vol. Eng. Misc. N. Counties Eng. (1890) 4 (MED) Ye Counsell of ye sayd cite discharged ye said John Lyllyng of ye Counsell of the chambre, and of hys fredom of franchise of ye cite.

1476 in L. T. Smith York Plays (1885) p. xxxvii All..insufficiant personnes..to discharge, ammove, and avoide.

1529 H. Latimer 1st Serm. on Card i The king, seeing the great infidelity of this person, dischargeth this man of his office.

1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. cxxxv^v The duke of Yorke was discharged of the office of Regent.

1599 S. Harsnett Discov. Fraudulent Pract. I. Darrel 94 About a Moneth or five weekes after he was Discharged of M. Brakenburies Service.

1664 J. Evelyn Mem. (1857) III. 144 Being..discovered to be a rampant Socinian, he was discharged of employment.

1738 Comm. Sense (1739) II. 203 Enemies..insisted I should be forthwith discharged his Service.

1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 138. 15 She gave away the dogs, discharged the servants of the kennel and stable, and sent the horses to the next fair.

1837 Lit. Gaz. 22 Apr. 258/3 It appears he discharged the maid servant, and was several days in the house, coolly pursuing his horrid purpose of cutting up and concealing the body.

1884 D. Pae Eustace 67 You are an idle, drunken vagabond, and I'll have you discharged.

1929 E. A. Powell Last Home of Myst. i. 24 We met along the road several large groups of pickers who, having shown signs of becoming obstreperous, had been discharged en masse.

1966 Monumenta Nipponica 21 3 The family stipend was reduced by another fifty percent and the mother was obliged to discharge the servants.

2006 Times (Nexis) 7 Feb. 56 He next joined the GPO... But by this time his lung condition had been diagnosed as tuberculosis, and he was discharged from this employment, too.

c. transitive. Chiefly Scots Law. To renounce (a right, claim, etc.), esp. by means of a formal declaration (formerly also reflexive with complement specifying the claim renounced). Formerly also: †to resign, surrender, or relinquish (an office, possession, entitlement, etc.) (obsolete). Cf. renounce v. 2a.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > relinquishing > relinquish or give up [verb (transitive)] > renounce

to claim quitc1314

to quit claimc1314

remisea1325

release1379

remit1379

renouncec1400

to put apart1455

discharge1466

to swear out1598

to quit claim to1664

remiss1701

cut1791

renunciate1848

1466 in T. Thomson Acts Lords Auditors (1839) 5/1 That..he..suld in continent discharge and gif our the saide office to the saide Malcolm.

1512 in M. Livingstone Reg. Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum (1908) I. 358/2 Renunciand and dischargeand the sammyn [lands, etc.] to the said Adam, his airis and assignais for euer.

1516 in J. D. Marwick Extracts Rec. Burgh Edinb. (1869) I. 159 Dauid Mailvill..hes frelie gevin over and dischargit him quite of the bigging that he hes maid vpoun the Borrow mure.

1536 in J. D. Marwick Extracts Rec. Burgh Edinb. (1871) II. 78 That he sall renonce, quytclame, discharge and resigne..his annuell rent of ten merkis.

1691 Replyes for Alexander Monro of Bearcrofts 2 The abovementioned Storie ought to derogate nothing from the sufficiency of Alexander Monro's Title to the Clerkship in point of Right, nor yet hinder him from being restored in Justice to his said Office notwithstanding of his Recept of the 7000 Merks, and Discharging his Office thereupon.

1754 Wiilliam Douglas & Thomas Belscher, Appellants: Respondent's Case 1 Elizabeth Brown..and William Keith her Husband, discharge and renounce, in Favour of the Earl, a Wadset or Mortgage of 600 Merks, which they had upon his Lands of Annacroich.

1842 C. Clark & W. Finnelly Rep. Cases Lords Appeals & Writs of Error VI. 931 The Appellant, actuated by kind feelings to them, agreed to discharge and renounce all claims against Mrs. Tennent, on receiving from her 6,737l.

1989 Laws of Scotl. XXV. 271 It was normal in ante-nuptial marriage contracts for spouses to discharge their legal rights inter se.

1997 Sc. Hist. Rev. 76 217 Lady Appin formally discharged and renounced her claim on 5 April 1759.

†5. transitive. To clear of a charge or accusation; to exculpate, exonerate. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > judging > acquittal or clearing of accusation > acquit or clear of accusation [verb (transitive)]

quitc1300

acquita1393

discharge?a1439

acquittance1448

assoil1528

rid1530

absolve1539

to bring off1609

disimpeach1611

a1439 J. Lydgate Fall of Princes (Bodl. 263) ii. l. 1132 Whos wikkednesse ouhte to bere the charge, And we off riht thi conscience discharge.

a1500 Lancelot of Laik (1870) 3227 Bot, if god will, I sal me son discharg. Say to sir kay, I sal not ber the charg, He sal no mater have me to rapref.

1535 in T. Wright Three Chapters Lett. Suppression Monasteries (1843) 58 The pope..gave hym licens to kepe an hore, and hath goode writyng sub plumbo to discharge his conscience.

1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Discharge..extra culpam ponere.

1654 J. Bramhall Just Vindic. Church of Eng. ix. 245 But it is not enough to charge the Church of Rome, unless we can discharge our selves, and acquit our own Church of the guilt of Schisme.

1657 T. Aylesbury Treat. Confession of Sinne vii. 132 We may well doubt if every Sir John's absolution discharge us before god.

1742 H. Fielding Joseph Andrews I. i. xv. 102 The Constable hath not been discharged of Suspicion on this account.

1795 W. Seward Anecd. III. 220 I now completely discharge him from the accusation which I made against him in that situation. He is an honest man.

a. transitive (reflexive). To acquit oneself in some respect; to carry out or successfully undertake a role, task, or commission; to perform a duty, fulfil an office or its functions. Frequently with of.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > carrying out > execute or perform [verb (reflexive)]

dischargec1440

c1440 (?a1400) Morte Arthure l. 1322 (MED) I hafe dyschargide me here, chalange whoo lykez, Before all thy cheualrye.

1574 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xlii. 535 Sic preichouris..That thinkis thame selfis dischargit weill, Quhen thay haue run ouir..Thair sairles sermone.

1587 F. Thynne Ann. Scotl. 447/1 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) II Such magistrates..as neither are comburgesses, nor apt to discharge themselues of such offices.

1660 J. Barwick Hieronikes 91 This Reverend Bishop having so well discharged himself of his duty in those places he had formerly sustained in the Church, it was his Majesties pleasure to have him translated to the See of Duresme.

1705 J. Addison Remarks Italy 94 Yet 'tis observ'd of 'em, that they discharge themselves with a great deal of Dexterity in such Embassies..as are laid on 'em.

1756 T. Birch Hist. Royal Soc. II. 122 Extracts to be made..of the respective experiments..in order that everyone, who stood charged with any, might know the particulars, and mind the better to discharge himself of his task.

1883 E. F. Turner Duties Solicitor to Client i. 8 A solicitor..comes under an obligation to discharge himself of any task which he undertakes with reasonable care and skill.

1904 National Cycl. Amer. Biogr. XII. 412/1 He again visited Europe..in 1855 and 1864, both times discharging himself of his mission to the entire satisfaction of his superior.

2006 A. Van Dan Cageling xvii. 201 He was incapable of mustering enough courage to discharge himself of this task.

b. transitive. To carry out, execute, perform (an office, duty, function, task, etc.) satisfactorily or successfully.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > carrying out > execute, perform, or carry out [verb (transitive)] > an office or function

takec1350

execute1387

servea1450

acquitc1460

supply?a1475

discharge1542

undergo1609

fungify1650

sustain1700

society > authority > office > [verb (transitive)] > perform office

doOE

discharge1542

officiate1615

society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > discharge (an obligation) [verb (transitive)]

pay?c1225

ministera1382

acquitc1460

discharge1542

assoil1596

1542 R. Taverner Second Bk. Garden of Wysedome (new ed.) f. 4 Wythout these, it shalbe very hard for them, to furnysh and dyscharge the offyces whervnto they be appoynted.

1548 H. Latimer Notable Serm. sig. A.vii^v A soore word for them that are neglygent in dischargynge theyr offyce.

1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream v. i. 203 Thus haue I, Wall, my part discharged so.

a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Lanc. 121 He was High-sheriffe of this County, 1635, discharging the place with great Honour.

1719 in W. S. Perry Hist. Coll. Amer. Colonial Church: Virginia (1870) I. 216 Let me..exhort you to discharge a good conscience in this matter.

1755 S. Johnson Let. 6 May (1992) I. 107 When the duty that calls me to Lichfield is discharged, my inclination will hurry me to Langton.

a1853 F. W. Robertson Serm. (1857) 3rd Ser. vii. 92 They appointed one of their number..to discharge those offices for them.

1959 N. Mailer Advert. for Myself (1961) 119 Whenever responsibility had been handed to him, he had discharged it miserably, tensely, overconscientiously.

2009 Times (Nexis) 21 May 67 Although the Attorney-General..can recuse herself, the DPP is legally obliged to discharge his functions under her superintendence.

7. transitive. To forbid (a person, etc.) to do something; to ban from (†of) doing; to prohibit (an action, practice, etc.). In early use also with direct and indirect object: to forbid (a person) (something). Cf. charge v. 14. Now disused (chiefly English regional and Scots Law in later use).

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > subjection > prohibition > prohibit [verb (transitive)]

forwarnc893

warnc893

forbidOE

forhightc1315

defendc1325

forfend1382

dischargec1450

prohibit?a1475

bidc1475

withsay1484

fenda1500

abara1504

prohibit1526

debara1529

forbodec1540

exempt1553

forspeak1565

disbar1567

forsay1579

enjoin1589

abjudicate1602

countermanda1616

forjudge1675

restrict1766

oppose1814

fen1823

embargo1824

nix1903

ixnay1937

c1450 Alphabet of Tales (1904) I. 228 (MED) He forbad þaim to speke any thyng bod opynlie, and dischargid þaim þe company & spekyng with of any strangiers.

1547 J. B. Paul Accts. Treasurer Scotl. (1911) IX. 120 Letterres..dischargeing all boittis to pas upon the se, bot to bryng owre folkes annerlie.

1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1895) II. 89 This parleament..discharges al man the futball, and al sik games.

1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. ix. 389 The Cardinall..discharged him to say Masse for a yeare.

1693 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1852) I. 368 And discharge all others from Transporting Anie persons over the Skuillkill.

?1709 Act against Innovations in Worship (Church of Scotl.) (single sheet) The General Assembly..Do hereby Discharge the Practice of all such Innovations.

1716 R. Wodrow Corr. (1843) II. 120 The ministers..were discharged to pray for King George even in their families.

1811 W. Milnes Let. 22 Dec. in A. Aspinall Early Eng. Trade Unions (1949) iv. 118 Where they found a frame worked by a person who had not served a regular apprenticeship, or by a woman, they discharged them from working.

1856 T. Chitty Forms Pract. Proc. (ed. 7) xiii. i. 875 I do hereby discharge and prohibit the said A. A. from making any award.

1881 S. Evans Evans's Leicestershire Words (new ed.) (at cited word) A dischaa'ged 'im of ivver comin' agen o' the graound.

1898 Sc. Law Reporter 35 613/1 The complainer prayed the Court..to interdict, prohibit, and discharge the respondents from levying or enforcing payment of any assessment upon any property within the parliamentary burgh of Oban.

1936 Session Cases 112 To suspend the proceedings complained of, and to interdict, prohibit and discharge the Corporation of the City of Glasgow..from establishing..a department which would manufacture, provide and supply..all such manufactured stationery requirements of the Corporation.

†a. intransitive. To fire a weapon, let fly or launch a missile, etc. Frequently with on (or upon). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > discharge missile [verb (intransitive)]

shoot993

loose1387

discharge1481

fire1848

1481 W. Caxton tr. Siege & Conqueste Jerusalem (1893) xcv. 147 Oure meyne discarged [i.e. arrows] on them [Fr. Por ce quant li Flamene deschargierent sor aux, cil ne les porent souffrir, einz s'enfoïrent tantost].

1578 W. B. tr. Appian of Alexandria Aunc. Hist. Romanes Warres ii. 158 He brought his shotte, commaunding them to discharge vppon them, neither all togither, nor too nighe the enimie.

1647 N. Nye Art of Gunnery i. 39 He should know how to charge and discharge Gunner like.

1684 Scanderbeg Redivivus vi. 144 The Turks having Discharged, again retired.

1739 tr. C. Rollin Anc. Hist. (ed. 2) III. 459 Archers, who discharged perpetually upon them.

1774 O. Goldsmith Grecian Hist. I. viii. 297 The enemy's cavalry..discharged perpetually upon them.

1825 Edinb. Mag. & Literary Misc. Oct. 443/2 And after we had received their fire, we discharged upon them again very vigorously.

b. transitive. To fire (a shot, bullet, etc.). In early use also: †to let fly, launch (a missile, a blow, etc.) (obsolete). Also figurative and in figurative contexts.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > impelling or driving > projecting through space or throwing > throw [verb (transitive)] > project through space

to let flyOE

shootc1290

bolta1420

dischargec1500

speeda1569

outshoota1586

emit1711

wing1718

wise1721

arrow1796

wing1970

bomb-

society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > assail with missiles [verb (transitive)] > discharge (missile)

sendc825

to let flyOE

slenga1300

castc1325

lancec1330

throwa1382

launch?a1400

whirlc1440

fling1487

dischargec1500

to let goc1500

streek1513

deliver1574

level1592

fire1887

c1500 Melusine (1895) 369 He..wold haue take the swerd to haue descharged it vpon the serpent.

1574 B. Rich Right Exelent Dialogue Mercury & Eng. Souldier sig. Aiv Too my farewell, certayne voll of shot discharged in hope of my good speede.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) ii. i. 57 They doe discharge the shot of courtesie.

1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. v. 75 Of the..Motion or Course of a Shot discharged out of any Piece of Ordnance.

1726 A. Pope tr. Homer Odyssey V. xxii. 276 Let each at once discharge the deadly dart.

1771 O. Goldsmith Hist. Eng. I. 196 A Norman knight..discharged at his head two..furious strokes of a sabre.

1817 C. Wolfe Burial Sir J. Moore in Edinb. Monthly Mag. June 277/2 Not a soldier discharged his farewell shot O'er the grave where our hero we buried.

1839 G. M. Bussey Forster's Arabian Nights Entertainm. 306/2 The king, my father, discharged an arrow, which pierced his breast.

1905 T. F. Tout Hist. Eng. Henry III. to Edward III. xviii. 417 A ring of bastilles was erected round the doomed town, and cannon discharged huge balls of stone against its ramparts.

1968 B. England Figures in Landscape 106 The gun discharged an entire magazine in one long burst.

1974 J. C. Ewers Horsemen of Plains in J. Billard World of Amer. Indian 294 The Sioux could not understand this noisy metal rod that discharged a deadly missile so fast that the eye could not follow its flight.

2007 Vanity Fair June 114/3 High-velocity weapons discharging blizzards of bullets.

c. transitive. To fire (a weapon); to set off, detonate (a bomb, firework, etc.).

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > assail with missiles [verb (transitive)] > discharge (a missile weapon)

shoot1482

discharge1523

1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. f. xxvii^v/1 They of Quesnoy dyscharged certayne peces of artyllery.

1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde iii. xi. f. 159 The gouernoure discharged [L. exonerat] aboute .xx. pieces of ordinaunce ageynste them.

1601 W. Walker tr. J. C. van Neck Jrnl. Voy. Eight Shippes of Amsterdam f. 13 We discharged a peece to warne the other ships thereof.

1659 in J. Stuart Extracts Council Reg. Aberdeen (1872) IV. 311 The touns guns to be dischairgit.

a1711 R. Bulstrode Mem. Reign Charles I & Charles II (1721) 95 Not far distant from Gloucester, he discharged some Cannon, to give them Notice of his Coming.

1786 T. Baldwin Airopaidia viii. 55 Their Form was, as if Pieces of Ordnance were discharged perpendicularly upwards into the Air.

1824 Ld. Byron Lett. & Jrnls. (1981) XI. 124 We had..an earthquake..and the whole army discharged their arms—upon the same principle that savages beat drums or howl during an eclipse of the moon.

1874 Frank Leslie's Pleasant Hours 15 238/1 A Detroit boy stole a rocket..and discharged the firework while it was lying on the ground.

1905 Bystander 14 June 528/2 You cannot discharge a bomb without attracting some attention.

1980 I. Colegate Shooting Party (1982) 74 Each shooter discharged his two barrels.

2009 J. F. Ross War on Run (2011) ii. x. 128 Some rangers..looked agape at their attackers, discharged their muskets, then laboriously scattered downhill.

d. intransitive. Of a weapon: to fire; to go off.In quot. 1803 transitive (reflexive) in the same sense.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > discharge of firearms > discharge firearms [verb (intransitive)] > of gun: go off or fire

fire1542

discharge1565

shoota1575

go1598

to let fly1611

scatter1736

poop1915

1565 T. Norton & T. Sackville Gorboduc sig. Diiii These after their Peeces discharged, and that the Armed men had three tymes marched aboute the Stage, departed.

c1575 J. Hooker Life Sir P. Carew in Archaeologia (1840) 28 139 The matche gave fier, and the pece dyschardged.

1582 N. Lichefield tr. F. L. de Castanheda 1st Bk. Hist. Discouerie E. Indias lxxi. 144 b Some of the Ordinaunce of the fleete beganne to discharge.

1623 W. Traheron & E. Grimeston tr. P. Mexia Imperiall Hist. 764 All the Bells rung, and the ordinance of the towne often discharged.

1754 Boston Gaz. 21 May 4/1 To be sold..An Air-Gun, which discharges ten Times without Powder in half a Minute.

1803 M. Lewis Jrnl. 30 Aug. in Jrnls. Lewis & Clark Exped. (1986) 65 Mr. Blaze Cenas being unacquainted with the management of the gun suffered her to discharge herself accedentaly.

1899 Daily News 12 June 3/4 Kennerley was not aware that the firearm was loaded, and it discharged in his face.

1900 Hampshire Advertiser 18 July 1/7 A comrade named Lee..was engaged cleaning his rifle when the weapon discharged.

1991 St. Louis (Missouri) Post-Dispatch (Nexis) 6 Dec. 9 a Hollenberg could not explain why the grenade discharged. He did not release the lever or pull the pin.

2011 G. W. Moore Hey Buddy xxi. 119 I suppose it is possible that the gun discharged accidentally.

9. transitive. Law. To put an end to the obligation of (a legal instrument or document); to render no longer legally binding; to cancel, annul (an order of court), terminate (a contract), etc. Cf. discharge n. 14.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > rule of law > illegality > render illegal [verb (transitive)] > deprive of legal validity

abatea1325

squatcha1325

voida1325

allayc1325

annul1395

reverse1395

revokec1400

rupt?a1425

repealc1425

abroge1427

defeat1429

purloin1461

cassa1464

toll1467

resume1472

reprove1479

suspend1488

discharge1495

reduce1498

cassate1512

defease1512

denulla1513

disannula1513

fordoa1513

avoid1514–5

abrogate?1520

frustrate1528

revert1528

disaffirm?1530

extinct1530

resolve1537

null1538

nihilate1545

extinguish1548

elidec1554

revocate1564

annullate1570

squat1577

skaila1583

irritate1605

retex1606

nullify1607

unable1611

refix1621

vitiate1627

invalid1643

vacate1643

unlaw1644

outlaw1647

invalidate1649

disenact1651

vacuate1654

supersedec1674

destroy1805

break1891

1495 in Acts Lords of Council Civil Causes (1839) I. 405/2 That thai dischargeit the infefting of thaim and thair airis in the saidis landis contenit in his said obligacioun and defesit him thairof.

1566 in W. Mackay & H. C. Boyd Rec. Inverness (1911) I. 136 William Fraysser..hes dischargit the act of souerte..quharthrow the said Robert suld entyr the blude drawer of Robert Scot.

1599 in D. Masson Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1884) 1st Ser. VI. 41 Thay..have now be ane uther act cassit, annullit and dischargeit thair formar act forsaid.

1674 J. Godolphin Orphans Legacy ii. 133 If a man do make a Contract to pay certain money for a thing bought by him, if he make an Obligation for the money, the Contract is discharged, and he shall not have an Action of Debt upon the Contract.

1725 Rep. Court of Chancery during Time H. Finch 364 The Plaintiff thereupon obtains an Order to discharge that last Order.

1798 A. J. Dallas Rep. Cases U.S. & Pennsylvania 2 33 Therefore adjudge..that the order of the court..be discharged.

1808 Parl. Deb. 1st Ser. 1409 Other..business..might render it improper to discharge the order: the call might be postponed for a few days without being discharged.

1885 Law Times 79 175/1 The order..was entirely wrong, and must be discharged with costs.

1896 E. A. Harriman Elem. Law Contracts x. 286 The breach does not..operate to discharge the contract unless the injured party elects to treat it as a discharge.

1925 Cambr. Law Jrnl. 2 223 In order to discharge the contract unforeseen circumstances must have occurred to make the contract impossible of performance.

1985 Daily Tel. 22 June 3/5 The court..discharged the adoption order and made the child a ward of court.

2006 Afr. News (Nexis) 16 Jan. Judge Muller at the same time discharged a court order..in terms of which the transfer of the ownership of all 88 auctioned plots had been stopped.

10. To allow or require to leave; to dismiss, send away, let go.

a. transitive. To release (a prisoner, or a person charged with an offence) from prison or custody; to liberate.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > administration of justice > general proceedings > arrest > [verb (transitive)] > release from custody

dischargec1503

dismiss1647

c1503 R. Arnold Chron. f. li/1 Your sayd oratour shuld bee dischargyd from prison.

1556 in J. G. Nichols Chron. Grey Friars (1852) 82 The duke of Norfoke..and the byshoppe of Wyssiter had their pardone, and ware dyschargyd.

1699 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1852) I. 549 Requesting to be discharged from his confinement.

1725 G. Jacob Student's Compan. 76 If they are not Tried the second Term or Session, &c. they shal be Discharged.

1771 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) II. xliv. 163 The..magistrate..declares the warrant illegal, and discharges the prisoner.

1797 Monthly Mag. 3 550 The sheriff may then discharge the defendant.

1800 Deb. House Commons Ireland 15 May 51 If a man..instead of pleading not guilty, tries to get off on a quibble of his counsel, though he may be discharged from custody, he will never be discharged from guilt.

1869 H. U. Browne Rep. Police Chittagong Div. 1868 44 The Deputy Magistrate..was of the opinion..that the woman had hanged herself, and therefore discharged the accused.

1887 Times 26 Aug. 10/2 Mr. d'Eyncourt discharged a man accused of picking pockets.

1948 A. Paton Cry, Beloved Country ii. xi. 190 The guilt of the second and third accused is not established, and they will be accordingly discharged.

1985 R. C. A. White Admin. of Justice II. iv. 62 The magistrate must either commit the defendant to the Crown Court for trial or discharge him.

2009 Univ. Chicago Law Rev. 76 1129 Whitney was discharged from custody with out any determination of innocence or guilt.

b. transitive. To dismiss from or allow to leave the armed forces or police. Cf. sense 4.

ΚΠ

1539 T. Elyot Bankette of Sapience f. 24^v The emperour Alexander, heryng that a poore olde woman was yl intreated with one of his souldiours, he discharged hym, and gaue hym in bondage vnto the woman.

1600 E. Blount tr. G. F. di Conestaggio Hist. Uniting Portugall to Castill 120 They woulde not discharge the souldiers.

1764 D. Monro Acct. Dis. Brit. Mil. Hosp. 94 He was shipped off for England on the 8th of February; having been discharged from his Regiment.

1846 R. Cobbold Mary Anne Wellington iv. 71 After twenty-seven years of active service, Thomas Hewitt was discharged.

1903 Times 4 May 3/4 For 18 months he was on the sick list, and in the end he had to be discharged from the police force as unfit for further service.

1951 R. Campbell Light on Dark Horse 8 I was discharged from the Army with ‘excellent’ military conduct.

1995 Guardian 24 Aug. i. 1/1 Soldiers..who are being punished before being dishonourably discharged.

2010 R. Skloot Immortal Life Henrietta Lacks (2011) xix. 167 After multiple psychiatric evaluations and treatments, Joe was discharged for an inability to adjust emotionally to military life.

c. transitive. gen. To tell (a person) that he or she can or must leave; (now esp.) to allow (a patient) to leave hospital because they are judged fit; to dismiss (a juror or jury) from serving in a case.In quot. 1652 with double object: to send (a person) away from (a place).

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > causing to go away > command to go away [verb (transitive)] > send away or dismiss

congeec1330

turnc1330

putc1350

dismitc1384

refusea1387

repel?a1439

avyec1440

avoida1464

depart1484

license1484

to give (a person) his (also her, etc.) leave?a1513

demit1529

dispatcha1533

senda1533

to send a grazing1533

demise1541

dimiss1543

abandon1548

dimit1548

discharge1548

dismiss1548

to turn off1564

aband1574

quit1575

hencea1586

cashier1592

to turn away1602

disband1604

amand1611

absquatulize1829

chassé1847

to send to the pack1912

1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. ccxliiij He discharged the Iury.

1592 A. Day 2nd Pt. Eng. Secretorie sig. D3^v, in Eng. Secretorie (rev. ed.) Whome your selfe knew an howre before our conference, to haue beene discharged our company.

1652 J. Wadsworth tr. P. de Sandoval Civil Wars Spain 333 Requiring the Commissioners forthwith to discharge him the Citie.

1734 T. Salmon Mod. Hist. XXIII. 55 It was in the Discretion of the Court to discharge the Jury without taking a Verdict.

1807 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 17 316 At the end of which time..the girl was a second time discharged cured.

1893 Law Times 95 249/2 The jury, having informed the court that they had no presentment to make, were discharged.

1939 C. Isherwood Goodbye to Berlin 208 Each time she had been discharged as cured, but within nine months or a year she would have a relapse and have to be sent back again.

1967 Jrnl. Criminal Law, Criminol. & Police Sci. 58 211/1 A..juror was discharged because the police received information that he had been offered a bribe and was considering it.

2006 ‘T. Reynolds’ Blood, Sweat & Tea (2009) 74 She was discharged later in the day. She was exceptionally lucky—if you can call getting beaned by a brick ‘lucky’.

11.

a. transitive (reflexive). To relieve or unburden oneself by giving vent to words, feelings, etc. Frequently with of. Now rare.In quot. 1892: (of an emotion) to find release.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > aspects of emotion > manifestation of emotion > manifest itself (of an emotion) [verb (reflexive)] > exhibit emotion

discharge1523

expand1656

1523 J. Skelton Goodly Garlande of Laurell 1353 I wyll myself discharge To lettered men at large.

1713 R. Steele in Guardian 14 Apr. 2/2 We now and then discharge our selves in a Symphony of Laughter.

1752 H. Fielding Amelia II. v. i. 95 The Colonel..discharged himself of two or three Articles of News.

1837 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers xliv. 479 ‘Wot are you a roarin' at?’ said Sam impetuously, when the old gentleman had discharged himself of another shout.

1892 I. Zangwill Children of Ghetto II. i. xxii. 154 Moses bore the loss with resignation, his emotions discharging themselves in the daily Kaddish.

1926 E. Bowen Ann Lee's 148 He could not discharge himself of what he had come out to say: it was no longer there.

b. transitive. To give utterance or expression to (one's feelings, opinions, etc.); to vent or release (anger, emotion, etc.).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > speak, say, or utter [verb (transitive)] > give expression to

sayOE

talkc1275

soundc1386

outc1390

shedc1420

utterc1445

conveya1568

discharge1586

vent1602

dicta1605

frame1608

voice1612

pass?1614

language1628

ventilate1637

to give venta1640

vend1657

clothe1671

to take out1692

to give mouth to1825

verbalize1840

to let out1853

vocalize1872

1586 E. Hoby tr. M. Coignet Polit. Disc. Trueth xi. 32 And further discharging his choler at that time..he greatly blamed the diuersitie and changing of Edicts and ordinances.

1600 E. Blount tr. G. F. di Conestaggio Hist. Uniting Portugall to Castill 299 There they discharged their choler.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) v. i. 70 Infected mindes To their deafe pillowes will discharge their Secrets.

1709 Ld. Shaftesbury Sensus Communis: Ess. Freedom of Wit 20 'Tis the only manner in which the poor cramp'd Wretches can discharge a free Thought.

1795 T. Macdonald Thoughts on Public Duties Private Life 11 The peevish querulists who procure ease to themselves by discharging their bile upon others.

1814 Belfast Monthly Mag. May 360/1 A capital subject for giving certain writers an opportunity to discharge their spleen and malice.

1831 Fraser's Mag. Nov. 394/2 The deeper is our sorrow or grief..the more willingly would we apply to the readiest medicines for discharging the sorrow or grief from our aching hearts.

1955 G. Gorer Exploring Eng. Char. ii. 17 A psychologist..would probably suspect that the aggression had changed direction, that instead of being manifested in public life, it was being discharged somewhere else.

2002 S. Linden & J. Grut Healing Fields iii. 31 They experience the value of heavy tasks, such as digging the soil, as a means of discharging anger.

12.

a. transitive. To empty of a liquid, gas, etc., by causing or allowing it to flow out or pass out. Frequently with of. Frequently reflexive in early use.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > place > absence > fact of being unoccupied > leave unoccupied [verb (transitive)] > empty > empty of (something)

void13..

empty1526

dischargec1530

exhaust1614

c1530 A. Barclay Egloges sig. Gi^v The hye mountaynnys of water them dyscharge And lade the ryuers with flodes great & large.

1594 Hester's Pearle of Pract. ii. xxvi. 33 The wormes called Centumpedes or Sowes, are of great vertue, to discharge the lungs, that are stuffed with grose fleame.

1686 G. Harvey Conclave of Physicians (ed. 2) ii. ix. 110 The Veins are discharged by Phlebotomy, to give the arterial Blood a free passage.

1702 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 23 1197 That part of the Left Subclavian Vein, where the Thoracick Duct enters it, and discharges itself of its Chyle and Lympha.

1724 W. Stukeley Of Spleen 41 The womb discharges it self of its redundant blood in the menstrua and the lochia, thro' the innumerable gapings of its arteriolæ in its inward tunicle.

1803 H. Dewar Observ. Diarrhoea & Disentery iv. 83 An emetic was exhibited to discharge the stomach of a load of ingesta which it would not transmit downward.

1833 J. Dymock & T. Dymock Bibliotheca Classica 364/2 C. Julius Caesar, and Tib. Claudius Caesar attempted to discharge the lake of Celano into the Tevere.

1879 Amer. Armamentarium Chirurgicum (G. Tiemann & Co.) i. 99 Before attempting to discharge the stomach of its contents a quantity of warm water should be pumped into it.

1912 Americana 19 at Steel—Manufacture of Crucible The furnace..is so constructed that the body can be tilted forward to discharge the bath of metal through an opening.

1991 Res. Jrnl. Water Pollution Control Federation 63 77/1 In anaerobic or aerobic treatment, the idle period (the time after discharging the tank and before filling) can be eliminated.

b. transitive. To cause or allow (a liquid, gas, or other substance) to flow or pass out from a place where it has been contained; to emit, release, disgorge; spec. (of an organ, a part of the body, a wound, etc.) to exude (a substance), to secrete or excrete (matter). Also intransitive in the same sense. Also figurative.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > letting or sending out > let or send out [verb (transitive)]

outc1390

issue1442

to put forth1540

dischargea1576

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > letting or sending out > let or send out [verb (transitive)] > emit

send971

stretchc1275

casta1300

sheda1325

manda1350

to throw outa1413

yielda1450

devoida1475

render1481

reflair1509

sup out1513

to give out1530

utter1536

spout1568

to give fortha1586

to let fly1590

to put out1614

eject1616

evacuate1622

ejaculate1625

emit1626

fling1637

outsend1647

exert1660

extramit1668

exclude1677

emane1708

extromita1711

evolve1772

emanate1797

discharge1833

exsert1835

to give off1840

a1576 W. Bullein Bk. Simples (new ed.) f. 55, in Bulwarke of Defence (1579) To purge the guttes, heale the Iaundice, and open the galle, and discharge all viscous humours.

1634 T. Johnson tr. A. Paré Chirurg. Wks. xvii. xxvii. 660 After the tooth is drawn, let the blood flow freely, that so the part may be freed from pain, and the matter of the tumor discharged.

1675 in J. A. Picton City of Liverpool: Select. Munic. Rec. (1883) I. 307 Every shipp which shall discharge any shilly or stone ballast southwards of the shilly path in this river shall forfeit ten shillings.

1676 R. Wiseman Severall Chirurg. Treat. iv. vi. 324 The Matter being suppurated, I opened it [sc. an inflamed tubercle] by Incision, and discharged a well-concocted Matter.

1752 Philos. Trans. 1749–50 (Royal Soc.) 46 409 Thereupon she discharged by Stool above four Quarts of well digested Pus.

1776 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 66 433 The wound had discharged a great deal, and was more inflamed.

1833 Act 3 & 4 William IV c. 46 §114 The same [pipes] shall not discharge the water..upon the foot pavements.

1845 M. Pattison in Christian Remembrancer Jan. 73 The shoals of the frivolous and dissipated which this country annually discharges upon the continent.

1870 Baltimore Med. Jrnl. 1 526 On separating edges of opening about two ounces of same fluid as yesterday were discharged.

1904 Engin. Rec. 21 May 363/1 The sewer discharges directly into the Brandywine River.

1956 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 18 Feb. 367/2 Similar clear cells are found in the skin, with the recognized function of discharging mucus.

1971 Economist 12 June 56/2 New techniques for preventing coal and oil..from discharging poisonous fumes into the air.

2010 Dunoon Observer & Argyllshire Standard 17 Sept. 13/1 Between 1904 and 1998 the banana boats discharged some 90 million tons of sewage sludge into the five hundred foot deep waters.

c. transitive (reflexive). Of a liquid, gas, etc.: to flow out, escape; spec. (of a river or stream) to flow out into the sea, a lake, etc. Also (now chiefly) intransitive in the same sense.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > liquid > liquid flow > action or process of flowing > flow [verb (transitive)]

discharge1600

the world > the earth > water > rivers and streams > action of river > [verb (reflexive)] > disembogue

empty1553

shed1555

unburden1578

disburden1600

discharge1600

void1600

dischannel1607

disgorge1607

disengorge1610

enwave1628

expose1632

engulf1634

degorge1635

exhaust1833

the world > the earth > water > rivers and streams > action of river > flow (of river) [verb (intransitive)] > disembogue

fallOE

disbogue1589

empty1591

to have one's forth1597

disembogue1598

mouth1598

dimit16..

dischannel1607

ingurgitate1632

discharge1816

debouch1834

erupt1864

gurgitate1907

1600 J. Pory tr. J. Leo Africanus Geogr. Hist. Afr. ii. 333 This small river..dischargeth it selfe into the Mediterran sea.

1661 T. Salusbury tr. B. Castellus Mensuration Running Waters i. 3 in Math. Coll. & Transl. I If..we would have such a quantity of Water discharge from the upper tap, as would discharge from the neather in the same time.

1787 J. Ledyard Jrnl. 15 Aug. in Journey through Russia (1966) 151 I shall have [crossed] 37 navigable rivers, every one of which..discharge themselves in the northern Ocean.

1794 S. Williams Nat. & Civil Hist. Vermont 30 Twenty five run westerly and discharge themselves into Lake Champlain.

1816 M. Keating Trav. (1817) II. 42 A deep and rapid river, which discharges at Larache.

1820 W. Scoresby Acct. Arctic Regions I. 338 The chimney..through which the smoke discharges itself.

1842 Encycl. Brit. XII. 25/1 The fluid is then allowed to discharge itself..by drops, and the number of them is counted.

1872 Jrnl. Amer. Geogr. Soc. 3 217 A river, which I followed down to the Gulf of Boothia, where the river discharges itself into a fine bay.

1914 A. Pitot in A. Macmillan Mauritius Illustr. 75 Between Corps de Garde and Rempart Mountains, exists another cut in the general wall, through which a current of molten matter discharged itself at one time.

1934 D. L. Sayers Nine Tailors 177 The tide was on the ebb and the gates partly open, so that a slow trickle ran through them as the Wale water discharged itself sluggishly towards the sea.

1994 SIAM Jrnl. Appl. Math. 54 791 A metal mesh through which the gas discharges directly into the environment.

2008 Limnol. & Oceanogr. 53 1935/1 Affecting the water quality in the river and ultimately the lake where the river discharges.

d. intransitive. To ejaculate; to achieve orgasm.In quot. 1683 with punning allusion to sense 8.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > engage in sexual activity [verb (intransitive)] > ejaculate

untap1622

spend1662

discharge1683

shoot1879

to get one's nuts offc1932

to get one's rocks off1948

pop1958

spaff1999

1683 tr. F. Pallavicino Whore's Rhetorick i. 77 Such Squires will..remain full well satisfied to get with Foot in Stirrop, one hasty imbrace; and having once discharged, will streightway turn tail, as do the barbarous Moors after the first volley.

1749 J. Cleland Mem. Woman of Pleasure II. 77 His fair partner became now necessary to support him, panting, fainting, and dying as he discharg'd.

c1890 My Secret Life V. xv. 304 I kept up the game, putting my prick into both cunts before spending and discharging in each alternately.

1983 R.H. Dastur Sex Power 117 The male can thus utilise this time-lag between orgasm and ejaculation to withdraw his penis from the vagina and discharge outside.

2009 J. Barnes Arthur & George 200 He is fifteen—no, sixteen—stone, fit and energetic; and yesterday he discharged unto his underlinen.

13. Architecture.

a. transitive. To relieve the weight or pressure of (an architectural feature) by distributing it over adjacent parts; to relieve (an architectural feature) from the weight of another. Cf. discharging arch n. at discharging adj. Compounds. Now rare.In quot. 1663, intransitive.

ΚΠ

1663 G. Richards tr. A. Palladio 1st Bk. Archit. xxxv. 147 It is very secure to turn Arches over Doores and Windowes, which Arches do discharge [Fr. pour seruir de descharge] and hinder that the Doores and Windowes be not pressed with too much weight.

?1677 S. Primatt City & Covntry Purchaser & Builder 82 One Lintal to discharge the two windows and Balcony-door.

1679 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. viii. 142 Put a Girder between to Discharge the Length of the Joysts.

c1720 N. Dubois & G. Leoni tr. A. Palladio Architecture II. vi. 12 The arch'd cielings..are made of cane, to discharge the walls.

?1785 Langley's Builder's Compl. Assist. (ed. 4) I. 152 If..there be discharging Struts framed into the Beams and Prick Posts..they will discharge the principal Rafters from the greatest Part of the whole Weight.

1842 W. T. Brande Dict. Sci., Lit. & Art 349/2 [Arches] used in any wall over a lintel to discharge the lintel of the weight which would be otherwise borne by it.

1935 E. E. Herzfeld Archaeol. Hist. Iran i. 15 The back wall of the portico has..cornices in two lines. Its door has a gable discharging the lintel.

b. transitive. To spread or redistribute (a weight) in this way; to relieve (pressure) from an architectural feature.

ΚΠ

a1723 Sir C. Wren in L. Milman Sir Christopher Wren (1908) xi. 144 The Arch discharges the weight.

1734 Builder's Dict. I. Suppl. at BR So do the Braces m m discharge the whole Weight.

1806 G. Tappen Professional Observ. Archit. 183 The rough arches..were to all appearance introduced for the purpose of discharging the weight from the internal recesses.

1879 Cassell's Techn. Educator iii. 195/2 The arch..not only supports the wall above, but ‘discharges’ the weight over the walls on each side.

1907 Amer. Jrnl. Archaeol. 11 6 The arch over the doorway is a common expedient..for discharging the pressure from the flat lintel.

1997 Perspecta 28 150/1 The i-beam itself expresses..this relationship..discharging the weight of the belvedere.

14.

a. transitive. To release or neutralize (electric charge), or the electric charge of (an object).

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > discharge of electricity > discharge [verb (transitive)]

discharge1673

1673 R. Boyle Of Great Efficacy iv. 18 in Ess. Effluviums Attrition..I conceive makes a reciprocal motion amongst the more stable parts, and does thereby as 'twere discharge and shoot out the attracting Corpuscles.

1749 B. Franklin Let. 29 Apr. in Exper. & Observ. Electr. (1751) 22 The bottle being thereby discharged, the man would be charged.

1777 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 67 88 All this part of the electrical matter seems to have been then discharged by the different conductors of the two flukes and the main shank of the anchor.

1800 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 90 105 If the bottle be dry, it will..be discharged spontaneously.

1869 Sci. Opinion 10 Feb. 270/3 Charging and discharging portions of the same palladium wire repeatedly.

1896 Proc. Royal Soc. 1895–6 59 274 The Röntgen rays, when they fall upon electrified bodies, rapidly discharge the electrification.

1949 Pop. Mech. Sept. 140/2 The make-and-break effect of these sparking electrodes charges and discharges the high-capacity condenser into the 10-turn primary of the resonator.

1978 Nature 5 Oct. 374/2 At each pixel, the read beam is pulsed on and discharges the target, giving rise to an output video pulse.

2011 D. Sterratt et al. Princ. Computational Modelling Neuroscience ii. 30 All the current passing through the membrane either charges or discharges the membrane capacitance.

b. transitive. To cause (a cell, battery, capacitor, etc.) to convert stored chemical energy to electrical energy; to reduce the electric charge of.

ΚΠ

1773 J. B. Becket Ess. on Electr. ii. v. 115 I discharged a battery of thirty eight square feet of coated glass, through the head, and out at the tail of a full grown Cat.

1807 T. Young Course Lect. Nat. Philos. I. liv. 683 They separate and form a circuit which discharges a battery; whence the instrument is called a discharger.

1889 G. M. Hopkins Exper. Sci. (1893) xviii.421 The battery is again discharged through the resistance, and again recharged in a reverse direction.

1936 N. Feather Introd. Nucl. Physics i. 27 It consists essentially in charging up a battery of condensers in parallel to a low voltage and discharging them in series.

2012 Lifehacker (Nexis) 19 May This particular myth that you should fully discharge your battery every time you use it is left over from old nickel cadmium batteries.

c. intransitive and transitive (reflexive). Of electricity or electric charge: to leave or escape from a charged object.

ΚΠ

1826 J. Farrar tr. J. B. Biot Elem. Electr. 188 The manner in which electricity discharges itself through bodies of different kinds.

1874 Jrnl. Mental Sci. 19 378 Electricity is accumulated on the surface of the glass plate, and..it discharges or explodes in the same manner as electricity discharges from an electrophorus or a Leyden jar.

1904 A. O. Evans Mod. Vampirism 53 Just as electricity discharges itself from angles and points, so in the human body.

2004 Ambix 51 38 Sulphur is in fact an excellent insulator, and static electricity accumulated on it discharges in electrical sparks towards proximate objects.

d. intransitive. Of a charged object: to release or lose electric charge; esp. (of a battery) to convert stored chemical energy to electric energy; to produce a current and thereby lose some of its stored energy.

ΚΠ

1837 J. Coldstream in Todd's Cycl. Anat. & Physiol. II. 83/1 The torpedo [sc. the fish] sometimes bears great irritation..without discharging.

1893 Electr. Engineer 13 Nov. 431/1 Since the generator works at a uniform speed..the battery discharges when more power is required on the line, and is charged when less power is required.

1924 A. J. Allmand & H. J. T. Ellingham Princ. Appl. Electrochem. (ed. 2) iv. 47 Let the cell..be placed in a calorimeter..and allow it to discharge through an external circuit consisting of a suitable coil of wire in a second calorimeter.

1964 B. V. Rollin Introd. Electronics xiv. 176 At the end of the sweep a voltage pulse restores the bistable to its original state so that the capacitor rapidly discharges through the preceding triode.

1976 Pop. Sci. Mar. 88/2 A constant load on your battery—when there shouldn't be—causing it to discharge slowly.

2005 T. Martin How to diagnose & repair Automotive Electr. Syst. 61/1 When a battery discharges, the ratio of sulfuric acid to water in the electrolytic solution changes to mostly water.

15.

a. transitive. To remove from a fabric, article, etc., (the dye or colour with which it has been charged); to cause (a colour) to disappear. Also: to print (a fabric, article, etc.) with a pattern by selectively removing parts of the ground colour.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > colour > colouring > dyeing > dye [verb (transitive)] > remove dye

mealy1667

discharge1727

run1850

strip1896

1727 A. Pope et al. Περι Βαθους: Art of Sinking 39 in J. Swift et al. Misc.: Last Vol. Take off the Gloss, or quite discharge the Colour.

1763 C. Churchill Epist. to W. Hogarth 21 Wash the Ethiop white, Discharge the leopard's spots.

1789 Crit. Rev. 68 547 He draws the shape of the flower in its natural colour, discharges the colour from the petals by spirits of wine, and applies the discoloured petals to the drawing.

1801 M. Edgeworth Forester in Moral Tales I. 184 The colours had been discharged by some acid.

1853 Nicholson's Operative Mechanic (ed. 4) 407 For the purpose of discharging the colour out of the unsteeped flax or hemp.

1875 R. Hunt & F. W. Rudler Ure's Dict. Arts (ed. 7) I. 288 224 handkerchiefs are discharged every ten minutes.

1907 G. M. Norman Systematic Pract. Org. Chem. i. vi. 23 Dissolving a little fuchsine in water, and adding a solution of sulphurous acid drop by drop till the colour is just discharged.

1915 Textile Amer. June 14/3 Some dyed silk warps can be discharged by tin salt instead of zinc dust.

1940 Thorpe's Dict. Appl. Chem. (ed. 4) IV. 185/1 Innumerable colour effects can be obtained by discharging substantive cotton dyeings.

1972 E. C. Gallagher in G. G. Sward Paint Testing Man. ii. 69/1 Amylene is now added until the bromine color is discharged (about 5 to 6 drops).

2008 R. Gillman Create your own Hand-printed Cloth vi. 63/1 By experimenting, you can discharge some areas of the fabric more than others.

b. intransitive. Of a colour, dye, ink, etc.: to become faded or washed; (also) to change in a specified way when discharged.

ΚΠ

1795 J. Wallace Gen. & Descriptive Hist. Liverpool iv. 85 The stone..is of a yellow cast in its first state, but the colour discharges by time, and finally has a very good appearance.

1902 C. T. C. Salter tr. G. von Georgievics Chem. Technol. Textile Fibres v. 280 Most of the azo dyes discharge well, though here, as in the direct dyes on cotton, there exist difficulties that have not yet been overcome.

1978 J. Lambert & M. J. Mohammed Comprehensive Qualitative Anal. Adv. Level Chem. iii. 45 Red colouration from neutral solutions; colour discharges with dilute HCl.

2004 R. Issett Colour on Cloth vii. 114 Certain pure Procion MX colours discharge very adequately,..whereas blues, greens and turquoise tend to discharge to a paler version of the original colour.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2013; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	discharge
释义	dischargen. Brit. /ˈdɪstʃɑːdʒ/, U.S. /ˈdɪsˌtʃɑrdʒ/ Forms: Middle English descharge, Middle English discharhge, Middle English 1600s dyscharg, Middle English–1500s dyscharge, Middle English– discharge, 1500s discarg, 1500s–1600s dischardge, 1500s–1600s discharg, 1500s–1700s discarge, 1600s deschardge, 1600s dicarge, 1600s dischardg; also Scottish pre-1700 dischairge, pre-1700 dischearge. Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly formed within English, by conversion. Etymons: French discharge ; discharge v. Etymology: Partly (especially in early use) < Anglo-Norman discharge, Anglo-Norman and Middle French descharge (c1300 in Old French (northern) as desquarke ; frequent in Anglo-Norman legal documents; French décharge ) < descharger discharge v., and partly (especially in later use) < discharge v. (compare forms at that entry).Senses of the French word likely to have influenced the English word include: place at which cargo is unloaded (c1300 in Old French as desquarke), fulfilment, performance, or execution of an office, duty, or function (1306), exoneration, exemption (a1321 or earlier; 1363 or earlier with reference to release from a financial obligation, 1438 with reference to acquittal of a defendant from a charge), document that confers release from an obligation or liability (1365, originally with reference to a certificate of release from a debt), action or act of giving vent to words, feelings, etc. (1422, chiefly in concrete sense ‘physical attack on another person’), act of firing a firearm (1477), emission, ejection (a1550), conduit for water (1609), structure or architectural feature used to relieve the weight or pressure of features above it (1628), in Anglo-Norman also relief from suffering or burden (a1342 or earlier), retirement from office (1370 or earlier), offloading of cargo (1384). Compare post-classical Latin discarcagium unloading, payment for unloading (from 13th cent. in British sources), dischargia, dischargium release from debt (1514 in a British source). Compare also Spanish descarga (end of the 14th cent.), Portuguese descargo (14th cent.), descarrega (15th cent.), Italian discarico (14th cent.), all earliest in sense ‘action or act of removing a load or burden’, and also Catalan descàrrec act of unburdening oneself, especially with regard to one's conscience (1490), descàrrega act of removing a load or burden (1696). †1. The action or fact of freeing from an unhappy state; relief from suffering or misfortune; help, benefit. Cf. discharge v. 2. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > types of help > [noun] > help in trouble, danger, or difficulty bootOE dischargec1390 relief?1406 redressa1413 relievement1443 c1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Bodl. 902) viii. l. 3104* That love is of no repentaile; For it ne berth no contretaile, Which mai the conscience charge, But it is rather of descharge. 1404 Rolls of Parl.: Henry IV (Electronic ed.) Parl. Oct. 1404 §20. m. 7 The kynges entent is..for to put in execucione..alle the articles contened in the peticione of the comune, in alle hast that he may, in discharge of his poeple. 1434 in H. Nicolas Proc. & Ordinances Privy Council (1835) IV. 213 (MED) Þe whiche offre..shuld..have be of greet availle & discharge to you. 1463 in J. P. Collier Trevelyan Papers (1857) 82 (MED) To restore the sayde Thomas Whalesborughe his heres that be ryghtfull enheritors to that lande, in discharhge of that noble prynces is sooll. 1558 Act 4 & 5 Philip & Mary c. 11 The summe of sixe thousande pounde..in releif, comforte and discharge of the pore cities, townes, & boroughes of this her sayd realme, wasted, desolate, or distroyed, or ouer greatly empouerished. 1589 tr. Restorer of French Estate vii. 166 They promised you discharge, comfort, liberty, abundance, ease, and quiet. 1662 J. Humfrey Second Disc. Re-ordination vii. 68 Here for the discharge of my own Soul..I must humbly lay two charges upon them. 2. a. The action or an act of freeing or releasing from obligation, liability, etc.; exoneration, exemption; spec. the action or an act of releasing a bankrupt from further legal liability for debts contracted before his or her bankruptcy. Cf. discharge v. 3a. ΘΚΠ society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > [noun] > release from duty or obligation remission?1316 loosingc1357 releasec1390 releasing1395 discharginga1398 defeasance1399 quittancea1400 acquittancec1405 discharge1423 absolution1447 acquittinga1450 quietance1451 excusationc1475 relief1496 acquittal?1538 releasement1548 ease1576 excuse1577 relievement1583 excusal1584 exoneration1640 dispensation1653 absolvement1689 1423 Petition in Fenland Notes & Queries (1907–9) 7 308 (MED) As it pleases to youre discrecion to allowe hem..a warraunt of discharge to youre auditours and to youre resceyvors. a1475 J. Fortescue Governance of Eng. (Laud) (1885) 129 Wich encrease any subget desirith ffor his owne discharge off þat he beyrith to the sustenance off his prince. 1532 T. More Confut. Tyndale in Wks. 518/2 Of whiche commaundement in scripture we see no discharge. 1559 Abp. Hethe in J. Strype Ann. Reformation I. ii. App. vi. 11 Thus muche I have here said..for the dyscharge of my conscience. 1594 A. Bacon Let. 27 Apr. in G. Ungerer Spaniard in Elizabethan Eng. (1974) I. 220 By the present Grace of God it shalbe performed by me to his qwiett discharge withowt cumbring him. 1683 Britanniæ Speculum 155 After that Honorius had by Letters of Discharge quitted the Britains of the Roman Jurisdiction. 1705 Act 4 Anne c. 17 That a bankrupt trader..should be entitled to his discharge from all further liability for the debts theretofore contracted. 1707 Rehearsal 5 Apr. in C. Leslie View of Times (1708) I A sufficient Discharge from all Obligations and Favours Receive'd. 1818 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. (ed. 2) III. 66 Neither will any prescription de non decimando avail in total discharge of tithes, unless it relates to such abbey lands. 1835 Penny Cycl. III. 401 The bankrupt..may apply to the Court of Session for a discharge... A discharge..frees the debtor from all debts previous to the date of the first deliverance on the petition for sequestration, except debts due to the crown. 1895 Times (Weekly ed.) 558/2 [Bankruptcy Court] Although he did not treat the debtor as immaculate, he thought the order of discharge might be granted subject to the minimum suspension laid down by the Act—namely, two years. 1900 Christian Reg. (Boston) 10 May 507/1 The discharge from all obligations to accept historic creeds ought to increase, and not lessen, one's devotion to the service of his kind. 1933 Columbia Law Rev. 33 221 Lord Mansfield held that the bankrupt tenant, after discharge, could not be sued for future rent in an action of debt on the reddendum of the lease. 2002 Duke Law Jrnl. 51 1216 Favoring the discharge of bankrupt municipalities on the basis that investors are wealthier than average municipal citizens. b. concrete. Something (esp. a document) that conveys or confers release from an obligation or liability, as a receipt for the payment of money due, a certificate of freedom from liability, etc. Cf. sense 5c. ΘΚΠ society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > [noun] > release from duty or obligation > formal > written discharge1425 release?1506 discharge1538 1425 in R. W. Chambers & M. Daunt Bk. London Eng. (1931) 204 (MED) This is the Dyscharg off Esmond Twyn and Thomas Catteworth off the same ȝer. 1495 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VII (Electronic ed.) Parl. Oct. 1495 §29. m. 18 The kingis lettres undir his pryve seale..shalbe sufficient discharge for the..payment therof. 1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Surueyeng xi. f. 12^v Than must the tenaunt shewe a discharge by suffycient writyng, and nat by wordes, or elles to paye the same. 1640 in J. Nicholson Minute Bk. War Comm. Covenanters Kirkcudbright 13 Nov. (1855) 91 To call for a sight of the said discharges and tak coppies thairof. 1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 339 I sent for a Notary, and caused him to draw up a general Release or Discharge for the 470 Moidores. 1765 G. Murray Petition 9 Persons would be obliged carefully to preserve all discharges of such open accounts. 1866 A. Crump Pract. Treat. Banking v. 107 An alteration made by the drawer..without the consent or knowledge of the acceptor, is considered a full discharge to the acceptor. 1893 A. N. Fitch New Commerc. Law xl. 204 It is not the duty of the holder of a mortgage to prepare a discharge when the mortgage is paid. 1901 Parl. Deb. House of Representatives N.Z. 2 Aug. 195/1 We will not issue the discharge of mortgage until we actually have the cash in hand. 1989 R. Bell Special Calling vii. 107 He called in his secretary and asked her to prepare a discharge of mortgage and a confirmation that the debt had been paid in full. 2011 J. H. Sinclair et al. Conveyancing in Scotl. i. 4 There is no reason why they should not do all the work themselves—sell the property on the internet..prepare a discharge of any security over the property, and present it for registration. 3. Fulfilment, performance, or execution of an obligation, duty, function, etc. Frequently with of. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > carrying out > [noun] > of a command, duty, or plan fulfilling1340 fulling1383 fullingc1400 acquittal1430 discharge1434 acquitc1460 performation1504 performance1530 performancy1608 acquittance1660 society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > [noun] > performance of duty acquittal1430 discharge1434 administration1483 feasance1528 payment1581 assoilment1649 acquittance1660 1434 in H. Nicolas Proc. & Ordinances Privy Council (1835) IV. 213 (MED) We..comen..to þis your greet consail for oure discharge and acquitaille to God, to your highnesse, and to your subgites. 1546 Bp. S. Gardiner Let. 19 Jan. (1933) 221 How to acquiete ourself for discharge of our duetie at hom in not wryting. 1599 in W. Fraser Memorials Montgomeries (1859) II. 243 Archibald Barklay..behaifit himself verie honestlie and cairfullie for the discharge of sik thingis..committit into him. a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) ii. i. 259 An act Whereof, what's past is Prologue; what to come In yours, and my discharge . View more context for this quotation 1622 R. Hawkins Observ. Voiage South Sea lxi. 146 I know the Spaniard too too well, and the manner of his proceedings, in discharge of promises. a1674 T. Traherne Christian Ethicks (1675) 478 The discharge of our duty. 1760 Cautions & Advices to Officers of Army 23 If at any time you are at a loss in respect to the right Discharge of your Duty, never be ashamed to ask some one more experienced than yourself. 1829 R. Southey Sir Thomas More I. Ded. p. iii Such tribute..rendered, in discharge Of grateful duty. 1848 H. J. Stephen New Comm. Laws Eng. (ed. 2) II. iv. i. x. 594 The discharge of the office is..in general compulsory upon the party chosen. 1883 Law Rep.: Queen's Bench Div. 11 596 (note) In the discharge of his functions as advocate. 1926 Times 13 Feb. 9/2 I find the duties of my academic position are incompatible with the effective discharge of my office as member of Parliament. 1965 L. Trilling Beyond Culture (1967) 35 He charges women not to interfere with men in the discharge of their cultural duty. 2001 Catholic Hist. Rev. 87 651 In the discharge of this responsibility, Kerby had to be left almost completely to his own devising. 4. Exoneration from accusation, blame, or censure; exculpation, acquittal; pardon. Also: an instance of this. Now rare. ΘΚΠ society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > justification > [noun] > exculpation skering1297 sunyinga1400 discharge1449 cleansingc1568 disaggravating1598 clearing1604 assoilment1611 washing1612 disblaminga1641 disculpation1649 acclearmenta1670 exculpationa1715 whitewashing1768 expurgation1828 1449–50 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VI (Electronic ed.) Parl. Nov. 1449 §15. m. 4 I trust youre highnesse and youre lande shull be content of me, and thenke that it shall suffice to my discharge with His mercy. 1471 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 441 John Pampyng roode for a dyscharge fore yow. 1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. HHHvii It is nat sufficient to my discharge. 1557 M. Basset tr. T. More Treat. Passion in Wks. 1373/2 Wold that..haue serued theym for theire dyscharge? 1656 Earl of Monmouth tr. T. Boccalini Ragguagli di Parnasso 328 He published in his own discharge, those his unfortunate relations. 1694 R. South 12 Serm. II. 584 Not condemning..which word imports properly an Acquitment, or Discharge of a man upon some precedent Accusation. 1779 Gentleman's Mag. Feb. 66/1 The idea they entertain, that they shall be happy, and be saved, by obtaining a discharge of the sins of their deceased relations, as well as their own. 1836 J. Gilbert Christian Atonem. i. 28 His receiving a discharge from guilt. 1847 W. Stroud Treat. Physical Causes Death Christ v. 339 The punishment of the cross..furnished that effusion of life's blood..without which the Scripture declared there could be no discharge of sin. 1942 T. S. Eliot Little Gidding iv. 14 The dove descending breaks the air With flame of incandescent terror Of which the tongues declare The one discharge from sin and error. 1954 Mississippi Valley Hist. Rev. 41 524 Pardons were liberally interpreted by the courts as restoring full title..and as working a final discharge of guilt for complicity in the rebellion. 5. transitive. The action or an act of releasing or dismissing a person. a. The action or an act of releasing an individual from custody or restraint; liberation of a prisoner, or a person charged with an offence. Now frequently Law, with reference to the release of a convicted defendant without punishment (see absolute discharge n. 2, conditional discharge at conditional adj. 7). Also: a judicial judgement or sentence stipulating such release. ΘΚΠ society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > liberation > [noun] > release from confinement unbinding1382 releasing1395 loosing1415 dischargec1458 enlargement1540 release1559 relaxationa1578 unloosing1578 bail1598 loosening1598 releasant1606 enlarge1608 dismission1609 eluctation1627 to let go1631 relaxating1647 unfetteringa1653 disimprisonment1656 disimprisoning1659 absolute discharge1729 disincarceration1831 decarceration1963 c1458 in H. Anstey Epistolae Academicae Oxon. (1898) II. 344 (MED) So þat sayd meyre, ballywys and burgeses, or syche delyverance by them be do made, have a sufficientt and a lawful discharge for þe same prisoner. 1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. cxxxix^v He..nothyng more coueted and desired, then libertie and discharge. c1595 Countess of Pembroke Psalme lxvi. 54 in Coll. Wks. (1998) II. 76 I cri'd to him, my cry procured My free dischardge in [Mss B, χ: from] all my bandes. 1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 1573 Death who sets all free Hath paid his ransom now and full discharge . View more context for this quotation 1771 H. Mackenzie Man of Feeling (1803) xi. 88 You will receive..a sum more than sufficient for your husband's discharge. 1822 Times 4 June 3/5 Distressed boys..who, on their discharge from the prisons of the metropolis, are desirous of abandoning their vicious habits. 1890 Polit. Sci. Q. 5 525 Sentences for subsequent offences should be indeterminate, leaving the final discharge of the prisoner to be fixed by the prison managers instead of by the judge. 1913 Washington Law Reporter 9 May 304/2 An abuse of discretion..does not constitute such reversible error as to justify the court in directing a new trial or the dismissal of the action and discharge of the accused. 1965 M. Spark Mandelbaum Gate iv. 104 On his discharge he bought a car on the instalment plan. 2013 N.Z. Herald (Nexis) 16 Mar. It is clear..that discretion is being used too generously for some people given discharges for drink-driving. b. Dismissal from service, employment, office, etc.; an instance of this.constructive, retaliatory discharge: see the first element. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > lack of work > [noun] > dismissal or discharge discharginga1398 discharge1523 quietus est1530 conduction1538 cassing1550 remove1553 destitution1554 mittimus1596 dismissionc1600 quietus1635 removal1645 cashierment1656 separation1779 dismissing1799 dismissala1806 to give (a person) the sack1825 bullet1841 congee1847 decapitation1869 G.B.1880 the shove1899 spear1912 bob-tail1915 severance1941 sacking1958 termination1974 1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Surueyeng f. xxv In many lordshyppes it is vsed that and the tenaunt leaue his house by his owne wyll without any discharge of the lorde ye tenaunt shall pay his best quicke good to the lorde in the name of an herryot. 1590 R. Greene Mourning Garment 33 The Seruingmen..brookt their discharge with patience. 1683 J. Keble Assistance to Justices of Peace Table sig. A For discharge of a Servant within the time. 1755 N. Magens Ess. Insurances II. 111 If the Master..give the Mate his Discharge. 1835 H. C. Carey Ess. Rate of Wages xv. 206 The paupers consist of weavers, unable at times to support their families, and wholly chargeable to public or private charity in case of illness, scarcity, or discharge from work. 1873 F. Hudson Journalism in U.S. xxxviii. 613 Serious charges were made..against the agent by the telegraph manager, and his discharge from service suggested. 1906 Internat. Wood-worker Mar. 109/1 The bosses made desperate efforts to weaken the movement; through victimizing by discharge from work every person who had the temerity to raise his voice in the meetings. 1966 J. S. Auerbach Labor & Liberty i. 14 The coal operators used their power of summary discharge to squelch political activity deemed inimical to their interests. 2005 Washington Post (Nexis) 8 Sept. t7 A letter..indicated that Wilkins was placed on administrative leave Aug. 15 and that her employment would end Oct. 11. The letter described the termination as a ‘discharge’ and gave no elaboration. c. Release or dismissal from service in the armed forces or police; an instance of this. Also: a certificate confirming this (cf. sense 2b). Frequently with distinguishing word. Cf. discharge v. 10b.bad conduct, dishonorable, honorable, military, undesirable discharge: see the first element. ΘΚΠ society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > [noun] > release from duty or obligation > formal > written discharge1425 release?1506 discharge1538 1538 T. Elyot Dict. Caussaria missio, a discharge of a souldiour for a reasonable cause. 1649 Act examining & stating Accompts Officers & Soldiers in Parl. Service 266 A certificate under the Hand and Seal of his Captain or Lieutenant..expressing..in what year or years of our Lord such his Service was, and..what pay he received for the same, or what remained due to him in arrear at his discharge. 1690 P. N. Exact Abridgm. Trials 165 Whereas the Lord Stafford had charged him for a Coward, and for running away from his Colours, he produced his Discharge from his Captain, which certified otherwise. 1726 N. Uring Hist. Voy. & Trav. 29 We anchored in the Downs, and soon after were order'd for the Nore, where we lay till about February, at which Time I obtained my Discharge. 1776 Scots Mag. Nov. 591/2 Jonathan Wentworth..is published to the world as a scoundrel, guilty of neglecting his duty, evidently with a design of obtaining a discharge from the service of his country. 1844 Lancet 3 Feb. 615 From this time up to the period of his discharge from the police-force in June, 1841, he became more or less inefficient. 1862 Boston Daily Advertiser 8 Mar. He showed a medical discharge from the Polish Brigade. 1918 R. D. Holmes Yankee in Trenches xv. 194 Unless one is all shot to pieces, literally with something gone, it is hard to get a discharge from the British army. 1952 Economist 3 May 297/1 Two reserve officers have been court-martialled for refusing to fly..and an administrative discharge without dishonour probably awaits the other twelve. 1973 Yale Law Jrnl. 83 46 It was ordered that he be given a General Discharge (apparently for alcoholism). 2012 Daily Citizen (Dalton, Georgia) (Nexis) 31 Jan. I got a copy of his discharge and saw what medals he was due. d. The action of telling or allowing a person, group of people, etc., to leave; dismissal; (now esp.) the action or fact of allowing a patient to leave hospital because they are judged fit; the dismissal of a juror or jury. Also: an instance of this. Cf. discharge v. 10c. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > causing to go away > [noun] > sending away or dismissing dimission1530 dismiss1589 recoilmenta1608 dismission1608 discharge1616 dismissmenta1626 cashiering1629 avoidance1633 sending1748 discard1787 dismissala1806 demission1811 turn-away1858 1616 T. Gainsford Hist. Trebizond iv. 301 The discharge of the Zagarians, and dismissing Philano. 1662 R. L'Estrange Memento i. iii. 13 Immediately upon the Discharge of his Majesties Forces, the Scots brake forth into fresh Insolencies. 1677 R. Gilpin Dæmonol. Sacra iii. xix. 162 Positive Discharges (like that of Christ in the same Case, Get thee hence Satan). 1747 Hist. Rise, Progress, & Tendency of Patriotism 62 He who us'd to be huzza'd..At his Discharge from this Political Hospital, and the Perfection of his Cure, passed down with all the Tranquillity imaginable. 1805 Trial Samuel Chase I. 254 Please to inform this honorable court whether you did, or did not, on the part of colonel Harvie, make an application for his discharge from the jury ; and on what ground that application was made? 1851 Trans. Med. & Physical Soc. Bombay 248 He stated that since his discharge from hospital he had used spirituous liquors moderately, had been to Goa, and been exposed to the inclemencies of weather. 1928 E. A. Powell Embattled Boarders ii. 34 Upon his discharge from hospital he resumed work. 2009 Herald Sun (Austral.) (Nexis) 19 Oct. 14 Mr McGarvie had been lax in assessing and dealing with Mr Scanlon's misconduct, failed to raise adequate objections or seek a discharge of the jury. 6. a. The action of freeing from or removing a load or burden; esp. unloading of a ship; offloading of cargo. ΘΚΠ society > travel > travel by water > transportation by water > [noun] > unloading of vessel or cargo unlading1427 unshipping1497 discharge1527 lossing1531 discharging1666 unlivery1692 1527 Statutes Prohemium Iohannis Rastell (new ed.) f. ccxxxiiii^v A man may charge tyn wher it pleasyth him but the discharg shalbe at calice. 1580 C. Hollyband Treasurie French Tong Passe-porte, a bill of discharge for any marchandise. 1621 Lawes E. India Co. cclv. 57 They shall at the full discharge of euery Ship, goe downe into the Hold, diligently to search, that nothing doe remaine betweene the Seelings. 1721 Let. to Friend from Merchant 7 The Lighters and Boatmen who were employed in the Discharge of the Ship. 1794 Gentleman's Mag. June 569/1 Our vessels are not permitted to go from the British ports in the Islands without giving security..for the discharge of the cargo in some other British or a neutral port. 1823 T. Thornton 5 Lett. on Customs 11 No other individual had authority to issue orders for the discharge of goods from the custody of the Crown's officers. 1873 in Trans. Hist. Soc. Lancs. & Cheshire 13 149 Tallies in copper..were issued by the authorities, and one given by the overlooker to each carter upon the discharge of his load. 1891 Law Times 92 78/2 The discharge of her cargo began on the 14th Nov. 1912 E. J. Clapp Port of Hamburg iii. 50 A ship with dutiable wares must suspend the discharge of her cargo during night hours. 1989 Containerisation Internat. Mar. 11/2 For the present, the call is for discharge of northbound cargoes only. 2012 West Briton (Nexis) 9 Feb. 26 Friday evening, Mikhanik Fomin, having completed the discharge of her cargo, sailed for the northern Russian port of Murmansk. †b. A place at which cargo is unloaded. Obsolete. ΚΠ 1536 R. Copland tr. P. Garcie Rutter of See (new ed.) sig. e8 A Shyp hoysseth up at the dyscharge & lyeth drye. a1544 R. Barlow tr. M. Fernández de Enciso Brief Summe Geogr. (1932) 85 This is the best part of all this cost and where most shippis do repare. Here is the discharge of the marchants that come out of ethiope and arabia felix. 7. The action of removing a pecuniary obligation or liability; payment of a debt, expense, etc. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > payment > payment of debt > [noun] satisfaction1398 acquittance?a1400 amortizement1439 financec1460 discharge1534 clearing1579 settlement1729 discharging1735 settling1761 liquidation1786 extinguishment1796 amortization1810 service1817 amortizing1840 extinction1845 clearance1858 pay-off1864 admortization1903 1534 G. Ferrers tr. Bk. Magna Carta f. 106^v And it shalbe lefull vnto hym duryng the same quarter to sell his landes and tenementes for the dyscharge his dettes. a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) v. v. 263 Oh the charity of a penny Cord..you haue no true Debitor, and Creditor but it: of what's past, is, and to come, the discharge. 1688 in Pennsylvania Arch. (1852) I. 104 Help us w^th some money ffor the Discharge of the Great Expence wee are at. 1777 Gentleman's Mag. Apr. 151/1 The discharge of the King's debts incurred by the insufficiency of the civil list. 1809 T. Jefferson Writings (1830) IV. 136 The discharge of the debt, therefore, is vital to the destinies of our government. 1888 J. Bryce Amer. Commonw. II. xliii. 140 Providing for the discharge of existing liabilities. 1904 Economist 6 Mar. 539/1 After payment of £4,569 6s for claims and after discharge of expenses..there resulted a balance of £2,437 3s 8d. 1959 Philos. Q. 9 95 The pounds, shillings and pence..which are used in the everyday discharge of debts. 2001 N. Tadmor Family & Friends 176 He also left his remaining personal estate to be divided equally between his wife and his son Thomas, after discharge of debt. 8. a. concrete. That which is emitted or poured forth; (Medicine) matter issuing from an abscess, wound, body orifice, etc.; a substance of this nature; a secretion, an excretion, an exudate. Cf. discharge v. 12. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > discharge or flux > [noun] > discharge of putrid matter yousterc725 screevinga1400 gotour14.. mattering?c1450 gleet1535 ichor1651 discharge1678 gleeting1684 pyorrhoea1787 lymph1800 1577 W. Harrison Hist. Descr. Islande Brit. ii. i. f. 48^v/2, in R. Holinshed Chron. I The Charwell..receiueth the discharge of dyuers ryllettes, in one bottome before it come at Clifton. 1678 G. Harvey Casus Medico-chirurgicus 154 There was an intermission of the discharge, until there was a sufficient quantity regendred, which would then again be cast off by Urine. 1727 Philos. Trans. (abridged ed.) 7 216 (title) A Purulent Discharge. 1787 Med. Comm. 1786 2nd Decade 1 313 At the following period she was too weak to have the discharge. 1804 J. Abernethy Surg. Observ. 223 I directed that this discharge should be pressed out..and a poultice applied. 1850 Ecclesiologist 10 415 He has repeatedly seen the putrid discharge from the coffin dripping down along the clothes of the undertaker's men who carried it. 1878 Macmillan's Mag. Jan. 245/1 The flood discharge of the Polar River. 1937 Jrnl. Negro Educ. 6 367/1 There is an active, pussy discharge from the canal. 1968 Brit. Jrnl. Plastic Surg. 21 395 The common discharges from wounds are blood and plasma. 2010 Your Cat Feb. 54/2 Small amounts of dark brown discharge in the ear is likely to be wax. b. The action or fact of emitting, or pouring forth; emission, ejection. Also: the rate or amount of emission. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > letting or sending out > [noun] > emission deliverancea1398 puttinga1398 voidinga1425 effusionc1477 vent?1507 evaporation1555 delivery1588 extramission1613 extromission1615 ejaculation1625 emissiona1626 discharge1653 disclusion1656 voidance1672 emitting1693 spout1771 evolution1783 emanation1822 1653 W. Harvey Anat. Exercitations xxxix. 191 The brevity and rectitude of the Cocks spermatical Vessels do conduce to the nimbler discharge of the Seed. 1695 J. Woodward Ess. Nat. Hist. Earth 145 Wherever there are any extraordinary Discharges of this [subterraneous] Fire, there also are the neighbouring Springs hotter than ordinary. 1783 P. Pott Chirurg. Wks. (new ed.) I. 309 The discharge of this mucus. 1823 J. Badcock Domest. Amusem. 180 And give a more easy issue or discharge to the water. 1830 H. Kater & D. Lardner Treat. Mechanics xvii. 230 If..the supply from the pump be less than the discharge from the pipe. 1880 S. Haughton Six Lect. Physical Geogr. iii. 141 This gives a discharge of water to the southward, equal to 32·28 cubic miles per hour. 1925 Town Planning Rev. 11 174 The discharge of effluent from tanneries. 1989 J. McPhee Control of Nature (1991) 22 A blurt of water twenty times the discharge of the Amazon River. 2010 P. K. Parua Ganga Introd. xix Increasing the upland discharge by diverting water from the Ganga into a long and wide feeder canal. c. A place where something flows out or is poured forth; spec. the mouth of a river, lake, etc. In later use also: an opening through which a liquid, gas, etc., is emitted; an outlet, a vent. Cf. discharge v. 12c. ΘΚΠ the world > the earth > water > rivers and streams > system > [noun] > mouth or outfall mouthlOE issue1423 firthc1425 estuary15.. fall1511 port1555 inset1559 water mouth1574 open1582 emboguing1603 ostium1611 inver1615 outfall1629 ostiary1646 influx1652 disclosure1660 discharge1688 waterfoot1730 outflux1739 embouchure1792 sortie1809 beal1819 debouchure1832 salting-place1842 embouchement1844 debouchment1859 ria1887 1688 R. Morden Geogr. Rectified (ed. 2) 88 No River whatsoever, so far from its discharge into the Sea, affordeth more Naval Vessels of strength and sufficiency for Fight. 1798 T. Pennant View of Hindoostan II. 110 The water contained in them [sc. rivers] is increased by dams made across their discharges. 1808 Z. M. Pike Acct. Exped. Sources Mississippi iii. App. 6 From its sources to its discharge into the head of the gulf of California. 1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth vi, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. III. 143 On the meadow at the Ballough, that is, the discharge of the lake into the river. 1897 Preserv. Fisheries in Waters Contiguous to U.S. & Canada 86 in U.S. Congress. Serial Set (54th Congr., 2nd Sess.: House of Representatives Doc. 315) LVIII Near the discharge of the lake the sturgeon is the most valuable fish. 1946 A. A. Vasiliev Russia 139 The Black River..after its junction with the river Athyras and at its discharge into the Propontis, forms the Gulf of Tchekmedje. 1964 Jrnl. Amer. Water Wks. Assoc. 56 1493/2 The chlorinator should be put on the tank discharge rather than ahead of the tank. 2000 Ecol. Applic. 10 1148/2 The river flows from 960 m in elevation to 400 m at its discharge. 2003 Princ. Home Inspection: Syst. & Standards xi. 672 The wind pushes the extension into an orientation that allows the exhaust discharge to face away from the wind. 9. The action of firing a firearm, launching a missile, etc.; an instance of this. Also figurative. Cf. discharge v. 8. negligent discharge: see the first element. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > [noun] > discharging of missile weapon shooting?c1225 shotec1330 shot1377 delivery1588 discharge1591 1591 W. Garrard & R. Hitchcock Arte of Warre 5 A ready Souldier will alwayes foresee that the toutch-hole be so wide, as the Pouder without in the Pan may haue free concourse to that within the Peece, thereby to hasten more speedy discharge. 1596 W. Raleigh Let. 21 June (1999) 147 I only answered everie dischardge with the blur of a trumpet and not otherwise. 1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 i. i. 57 By discharge of their artillery. View more context for this quotation 1653 H. Cogan tr. F. M. Pinto Voy. & Adventures xxii. 79 Without any noise or discharge of Ordnance. 1760 S. Fielding Ophelia I. xiv. 100 I had stood her Discharge of Nonsense. 1831 J. W. Croker in Croker Papers 8 Feb. (1884) II I am as convinced..as I am that the discharge of my gun will follow the pulling the trigger. 1848 H. H. Wilson Hist. Brit. India 1805–35 III. ii. 76 The howitzers were then brought up, and after a few discharges, the work was taken in flank. 1891 Daily News 7 Oct. 5/3 The gun is hoisted for firing, and immediately upon the discharge falls back into position. 1909 R. D. Paine Ships & Sailors Old Salem xxx. 629 The ceremony..was concluded by loud discharges of fireworks and the crash of gongs. 1986 Airgun World Sept. 49/3 The smooth discharge of the slimmed down HW80 I was using sent the pellet true to the target. 2010 S. Junger War iii. ii. 213 We..started with an AK... Al said it has no internal recoil, so the entire force of the discharge goes straight into your shoulder. 10. The action or an act of giving vent to words, feelings, etc.; release or expression of pent up emotion, pain, etc. ΚΠ a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) ii. i. 37 The wretched annimall heau'd forth such groanes That their discharge did stretch his leatherne coat Almost to bursting. View more context for this quotation 1665 R. South Serm. preached before Court 15 Weeping..is the discharge of a big and a swelling grief. 1681 T. Otway Souldiers Fortune Epil. 71 The discharge of Passions much opprest. 1768 D. Bellamy Ethic Amusem. i. 32 Your last discharge of grief was levelled against fortune, accusing her of a partial distribution of rewards and punishments. 1800 Spirit Public Jrnls. 1799 III. 377 The ears of delicate people may not be offended with such copious discharges of oaths and curses. 1896 Amer. Jrnl. Psychol. 7 302 The instinctive underly of the females causes wooing and obstructs the discharge of the sex passion and sublimates it. 1934 W. B. Wells tr. M. Galvez Holy Wednesday xiii. 113 Father Solanas swelled the surrounding air with the titanic discharge of another sigh. 1962 Ethnology 1 522 The emotional cathartic discharge of repressed feelings. 2000 Village Voice (Nexis) 5 Dec. 125 An idealism that..found satisfaction as much from the discharge of anger as from practical application of it. †11. Architecture. A structure or architectural feature used to relieve the weight or pressure of features above it. Cf. discharge v. 13. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > framework of building > [noun] > members of pan1284 balka1300 lacec1330 pautre1360 dorman1374 rib1378 montant1438 dormant?1454 transom1487 ground-pillar?a1500 barge-couple1562 spar foot1579 frankpost1587 tracing1601 sleeper1607 bressumer1611 master-beam1611 muntin1611 discharge1620 dormer1623 mounting post1629 tassel1632 baufrey1640 pier1663 storey post1663 breastplate?1667 mudsill1685 template1700 brow-post1706 brow-stone1761 runner1772 stretching beam1776 pole plate1787 sabliere1800 frame stud1803 bent1815 mounting1819 bond-timber1823 storey rod1823 wall-hold1833 wall-strap1833 truss-block1883 sleeper-beam1937 shell1952 1620 in D. Yaxley Researcher's Gloss. Hist. Documents E. Anglia (2003) 66 Sawing lintles & discharges with dore cases and dores. 1679 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. ix. Explan. Terms 166 A Brick-wall or a Post trim'd up to a peece of Timber over charg'd for its Bearing, is a Discharge to that Bearing. 1823 P. Nicholson New Pract. Builder 222 Discharge, a post trimmed up under a beam, or part of a building which is weak. †12. The action or fact of disappearing or dissipating; disappearance, dispersal. Obsolete. rare.Apparently only in Bacon. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > invisibility > [noun] > vanishing or disappearing vanishingc1405 vading1570 disparition1597 disappearing1610 disparence1617 disappearance1625 discharge1626 evaporating1630 evanishing1633 vanish1650 disapparition1657 evanescency1664 evanescence1751 mizzle1789 evanitiona1797 evanishment1797 evaporation1824 occultation1825 vanishment1831 furling1836 disappearing trick1870 disappearing act1884 fade-away1911 fade-out1924 1626 F. Bacon Sylva Sylvarum §92 The Speedy Depredation of Aire vpon watry Moisture, and Version of the same into Aire, appeareth in nothing more visible, than in the sudden Discharge, or vanishing, of a little Cloud of Breath, or Vapour, from Glasse. 1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §92 Marke well the Discharge of that Cloude; And you shall see it euer breake vp, first in the Skirts, and last in the middest. 13. A release of electricity from a charged object; a passage of electricity through the air or other gas, esp. when accompanied by emission of light; the conversion of chemical energy to electric energy in a battery; (Biology) the passage of an action potential along a nerve fibre or other excitable cell.brush, gas, glow, Townsend discharge, etc.: see the first element. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > discharge of electricity > [noun] explosion1745 discharge1746 1746 W. Watson Sequel Exper. Observ. Nature & Prop. Electr. 49 You proceed until the whole electricity of the water is dissipated; which sometimes is not done, under an hundred discharges. 1794 G. Adams Lect. Nat. & Exper. Philos. IV. xlvii. 340 The person who holds the discharger feels nothing from the discharge. 1836–9 Todd's Cycl. Anat. & Physiol. II. 82/2 The shock caused by an electrical fish is said to be produced by a discharge of its electricity. 1847 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 137 239 The nervous action by which the discharge is determined under the influence of the will, resides in the fourth, or electric lobe of the brain [of electric fishes]. 1899 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. VI. 514 The prolonged natural discharges of neurons underlying willed and natural movements. 1922 Railway Signal Engineer Dec. 487/2 Some of the lamps were failing, due to static discharges, caused by lightning. 1974 V. B. Mountcastle et al. Med. Physiol. (ed. 13) I. xviii. 568/2 The discharges of auditory nerve fibers and of neurons of the cochlear nuclear complex. 1991 Personal Computer World Feb. 163/3 The batteries..have a much reduced capacity for the first few charge/discharge cycles. 2010 Sunday Times 31 Oct. 26 The hardware that controls the charge and discharge of batteries. 14. Law. The action or an act of rendering a legal instrument or document no longer legally binding; cancellation or annulment of an order of court, termination of a contract, etc. Also: something which brings about such a termination. Cf. discharge v. 9. ΘΚΠ society > law > rule of law > illegality > [noun] > legal invalidity or faultiness > annulment or abrogation reversing?a1425 repealing1431 abatementc1436 cancellingc1440 annullation1449 defeasance1456 voidance1488 reversal1489 reduction1496 repeal1503 extinguishment1528 disannulling1533 abrogation1535 obrogation1535 unplacing1554 nullity1555 reversement1572 reclaim1604 disaffirmancea1626 avoidance1628 rescinding1638 cassating1647 vacating1648 voiding1649 defease1650 annulment1651 unlawing1651 defeat1657 vacuating1684 peremption1726 invalidation1771 rescindment1783 supersession1790 disaffirmation1827 disenactment1859 discharge1892 1772 R. Burn Justice of Peace (ed. 12) III. 473 The discharge of the order doth not determine where the pauper is settled. 1837 E. R. Daniell Pract. High Court Chancery I. 657 The part of his notice of motion which asked the discharge of the order upon which his first contempt was incurred. 1892 Sir N. Lindley in Law Times Rep. 67 150/1 The discharge of the order..ought not to be granted except upon the terms of bringing the money into court. 1896 W. L. Clark Clark's Handbk. Law Contracts (ed. 2) ix. 475 Where the continued existence of a specific thing is essential to the performance of the contract, its destruction from no fault of either party operates as a discharge. 1946 Jrnl. Compar. Legislation & Internat. Law 28 19 Both parties refused to accept the only remedy which the doctrine of impossibility offered, namely the discharge of the contract. 1987 Michigan Law Rev. 85 1435 Discharge of contracts—including not only discharge by agreement, but also discharge by performance, by breach,..and by impossibility. 2005 Birmingham Post (Nexis) 7 Oct. 6 He said the ruling would remain in force until the prosecution applied for any discharge of the order when ‘deemed appropriate’. 15. Dyeing. Cf. Compounds 1c. a. The act or process of removing the colour with which a fabric is charged. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > colour > colouring > dyeing > [noun] > removing dye discharge1808 discharger1815 1808 W. Nicholson Dict. Pract. & Theoret. Chem. at Dyeing This discharge of the colour is performed nearly in the same way as bleaching. 1854 J. Scoffern in Orr's Circle Sci. Chem. 422 Some varieties of calico-printing by the process of discharge. 1945 Jrnl. Soc. Dyers & Colourists 61 323/2 (table) Chrome mordant dyes for printing, which withstand hydrosulphite and can be used for coloured discharges. 2008 R. Gillman Create your own Hand-printed Cloth vi. 63/2 Use an old iron that is dedicated to discharge. b. An agent used for this purpose; = discharger n. 3. Cf. discharge v. 15. Now rare. ΚΠ 1814 A. Rees Cycl. (1819) XXVIII. at Printing on calico The discharge is printed upon the mordants before the goods are dyed. 1874 W. Crookes Pract. Handbk. Dyeing 317 By the word discharge is designated any compound or mixture which has the property of bleaching, or taking away, the colour already communicated to a fabric. 1923 Color Trade Jrnl. May 396/2 The discharges which are specified in detail in their Circular No. 308 contain..glycerine and approximately 20 percent of the weight of the printing color in potash and anthraquinone in paste. Compounds C1. General attributive. a. In sense 5, as discharge book, discharge certificate, discharge paper, discharge summary, etc. ΚΠ 1740 Rep. Gen. Comm. Corporation Hosp. for Young Children 16 A Placing out, Death, and Discharge Book. 1790 Q. Craufurd Hist. Bastille 36 The discharge-book, contained the prisoner's receipt for his effects, which were always delivered to him when he was set at liberty. 1865 Lowell (Mass.) Daily Citizen & News 12 July A discharge paper carried in a pocket..is very liable to get lost. 1891 R. Kipling City Dreadful Night 26 His statements tally with the discharge-certificate of the United States. 1903 M. B. Booth After Prison—What? vii. 166 We find them work..and report to the prison, until we have the pleasure of handing them their final discharge papers. 1957 Amer. Jrnl. Nursing 57 601/1 The remaining part of the chart is divided into spaces with the headings as follows: condition on admission..medications, progress notes, and discharge summary. 2012 N.Y. Times (Nexis) 3 July 7 I had to travel in and out of Cyprus with my army discharge papers. b. In sense 8, as discharge pipe, discharge tank, discharge valve, etc. ΚΠ 1776 R. Burn Justice of Peace (ed. 13) 132 Every distiller shall..provide and affix sufficient locks, keys, and fastenings..to the discharge cock of every wash still. 1790 A. Hamilton Enq. into Princ. Taxation i. 46 By the Distillery Law 1782, it was required that the cocks of the discharge pipes, should be rivetted. 1864 Daily Tel. 26 July The discharge culverts, through which the sewage is poured into the river, are visible only at the time of low-water. 1910 Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc. 49 182 As soon as the discharge valve is opened, the mixed grout is forced through the hose. 1986 Guardian (Nexis) 28 Jan. The uranium, amounting to a few kilograms..was found in a discharge tank of waste water. 2010 H. W. Stanford Effective Building Maintenance 304 The discharge pipe will be hot for up to 30 feet downstream of the trap. c. Dyeing. In sense 15, as discharge paste, discharge process, discharge printing, etc. ΚΠ 1836 Penny Cycl. VI. 155/1 The goods..are..impressed with the discharge paste by means of the engraved block or cylinder. 1872 W. Crookes tr. R. von Wagner Handbk. Chem. Technol. vi. 612 Calicos may be printed... by resist or discharge printing. 1920 F. H. Thorp & W. K. Lewis Outl. Industr. Chem. (ed. 3) ii. 550 In the discharge style, the dyed cloth is printed with a discharge paste, leaving a white figure on a colored ground. 1980 M. V. Schwalbach & J. A. Schwalbach Silk-screen Printing 104/2 Thorough washing and rinsing of the fabric is necessary to remove all of the discharge paste containing the bleach. 2004 Drapers Rec. & Menswear 24 Apr. 15/3 The fabrics, including the vintage process, are reactive dyed to enable discharge printing and to ensure colourfastness. C2. discharge lamp n. a lamp in which light is produced by means of a discharge tube. ΚΠ 1893 Electr. Engineer 16 Aug. 156/2 A rheostat with discharge lamps and the necessary switch. 1953 Economica 20 201 A good deal of competition had, in fact, made itself evident in the industry, particularly in the manufacture of discharge lamps. 2008 Washington Post (Nexis) 24 Jan. (Home section) 5 Rooting and growth will be best in spring, when more light is available; you can also grow the plant under a high-intensity discharge lamp. discharge tube n. a gas-filled tube in which an electric discharge can be produced between two electrodes; cf. gas discharge tube n. at gas discharge n. Compounds 2. ΚΠ 1880 London, Edinb., & Dublin Philos. Mag. & Jrnl. Sci. Sept. 178 A discharge-tube in which the terminal wire b represents the anode. 1936 Discovery Dec. 365/2 The methods of determining with accuracy the masses of swift charged atoms and molecules produced in the discharge tube. 2000 N. Taylor Laser ix. 56 This emission of resonance radiation takes place in an electrical discharge tube, like a neon sign. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2013; most recently modified version published online June 2022). dischargev. Brit. /dɪsˈtʃɑːdʒ/, U.S. /dɪsˈtʃɑrdʒ/ Forms: Middle English dischange (transmission error), Middle English dischargied (past participle), Middle English–1500s discharche, Middle English–1600s descharge, Middle English–1600s discarge, Middle English–1600s dyscharge, Middle English– discharge, 1500s disharge (transmission error), 1500s dyscharche, 1500s dyschardg, 1500s dyschardge, 1500s dyscharggyd (past participle), 1500s–1600s discarg, 1500s–1600s dischardg, 1500s–1600s dischardge, 1500s–1600s discharg, 1600s dicharge; English regional (Leicestershire) 1800s– dischaa'ge; Scottish pre-1700 descharge, pre-1700 dischairg, pre-1700 dischairge, pre-1700 dischearge, pre-1700 discherge, pre-1700 1700s– discharge. Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: French descargier , descharger ; dis- prefix, charge v. Etymology: Partly (especially in early use) < Anglo-Norman descargier, deskarger, dekargir, Anglo-Norman and Middle French decharger, descharger, deschargier, descarger, Middle French decharchier, descherger, (northern) descarchier, descargier (French décharger ) < des- des- prefix + carger , charger , chargier , etc. charge v., and partly (especially in later use) < dis- prefix + charge v.Senses of the French word likely to have influenced the English word include: to remove (something) (end of the 11th cent. in Old French in a gloss on Exodus 32:3 in Rashi, with reference to the children of Israel taking off gold jewellery from their bodies in order to make the golden calf), to remove a load from (a beast of burden, ship, vehicle, etc.) (a1160), to unload (cargo, passengers) (beginning of the 13th cent.), to release (a person) from a task, obligation or responsibility (c1220), to rid or free (a person) of something unwanted (first half of the 13th cent. or earlier), to release (a prisoner) from prison (c1275 or earlier), to exculpate, exonerate (a person) (c1283; a1321 or earlier used reflexively), to release (a person) from debt or a financial obligation (1287; 1291 or earlier used reflexively), to resign from or quit (an office or post) (1370 or earlier, used reflexively), to deprive or dispossess (a person) of (something) (1435), to vent or release (anger, emotion, etc.) (a1473), to dismiss (a person) from office (beginning of the 15th cent. or earlier), to fire (a firearm) (1477), (of a weapon, bomb, etc.) to go off (a1483, reflexive), (of a liquid, gas, etc.) to flow out, escape (1559). Compare post-classical Latin discarricare (6th cent. as discarecare , discaregare ), (with elision of the unstressed medial vowel) discarcare , discargare (11th cent.; frequently from 12th cent. in British sources), and ( < French) dischargiare (from 13th cent. in British sources), all in sense ‘to unload’. Compare also Old Occitan descargar , Catalan descarregar (14th cent.), Spanish descargar (mid 13th cent.), Portuguese descarregar (1228), Italian discaricare (c1300). In sense 13a originally after French †descharge, noun (now décharge : see discharge n.) in its specific use in architecture (compare discharge n. 11). In sense 15b originally after French décharger (1611 in Cotgrave (in couleur deschargée bleached colour), 1680 reflexive, and 1829 used intransitively, in this sense). 1. a. transitive. To remove a load from; esp. to unload (a ship, vehicle, etc.). Also intransitive: (of a ship, etc.) to be unloaded; to put off cargo, passengers, etc. Cf. recharge v. 1a. Now rare. ΘΚΠ society > travel > travel by water > transportation by water > transport by water [verb (transitive)] > put off or discharge (from) a ship landa1300 uncharge13.. dischargec1384 lightc1400 unladec1436 unshipa1450 loss1482 disbark1552 defreight1555 unbark1555 disload1568 inshore1577 unfreight1580 disembark1582 to bring aboarda1600 unload1599 dislade1609 shore?1615 unliver1637 debark1655 to take offa1688 society > travel > travel by water > transportation by water > be transported by water [verb (intransitive)] > unload dischargea1535 unlade1547 unload1678 disburdenc1820 c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Deeds xxvii. 38 And thei..discargeden [Royal dischargeden, a1425 New Coll. Oxf. dischargiden; L. adleviabant] the schipp, castinge whete in to the see. ?a1425 (c1400) Mandeville's Trav. (Titus C.xvi) (1919) 201 The mares retornen..with hire charges of gold & þan men dischargen [Fr. deschargent] hem. 1481 W. Caxton tr. Siege & Conqueste Jerusalem (1893) clxxvi. 260 The maronners of Gene receyued them moche honorably..and discharged theyr shippes. a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 43/1 No manne vnoccupyed, somme lading..somme descharging, somme commynge for more. 1576 W. Lambarde Perambulation of Kent 146 At the first, ships were accustomed to discharge [1596 discarge] at Lymne. 1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. 193 Himselfe saw at Puteoli, a certain ship discharged of Elephants embarked therein. 1700 P. Rycaut Hist. Turks beginning Year 1679 247/1 The Boats being emptied and discharged, were all burnt, as needless and cumbersome. 1712 W. Rogers Cruising Voy. 20 We..discharg'd the Bark, and parted the small Cargo between our two Ships. 1753 ‘W. Bingfield’ Trav. I. i. 16 The Living had not Strength left to discharge the Ship of the Dead. 1839 Tait's Mag. July 426/2 Thieves, dock-wallopers, hawkers, and men who pilfer in discharging vessels. 1891 Law Times 92 78/2 A strike took place amongst the men employed to discharge the vessel. 1922 Atlantic Reporter 116 411/1 It was held that it [sc. a terminal carrier] exercised reasonable diligence, and discharged the ship in a reasonable time in view of the unusual conditions. 2011 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 6 June a16/4 I would hear him say..‘There is a train in the station discharging.’ b. transitive. To take out or off; to remove (a load) from; esp. to unload (cargo, goods, passengers, etc.). ΘΚΠ society > travel > transport > [verb (intransitive)] > unload dischargec1405 unload1587 offload1850 unlade1862 the world > space > place > removal or displacement > extraction > extract [verb (transitive)] unteeOE to take out of ——c1175 forthdraw?a1300 out-takea1350 to take outa1382 excludec1400 dischargec1405 to get outc1432 tryc1440 extraya1450 out-have1458 to take fortha1550 extract1570 reave1640 eliciate1651 roust1658 uncork1740 to put out of ——1779 to break out1840 c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Parson's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) §289 The same harm doon som tyme the smale dropes of water þ^t entreth thurgh a litel creuesse in to the Thurrok, & in the botme of the ship, if men be so necligent þ^t men ne descharge hem nat by tyme. c1436 Domesday Ipswich (BL Add. 25011) in T. Twiss Black Bk. Admiralty (1873) II. 179 (MED) For every tunne..chargyd on carte or discharged [Fr. descharge] in the same toun, ij d. ob. 1479 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith Eng. Gilds (1870) 425 All smalwodde to be discharged at the Bak. 1582 N. Lichefield tr. F. L. de Castanheda 1st Bk. Hist. Discouerie E. Indias xlii. 96 That ther were setled a Factorie, to discharge the Merchandize the which were appointed for that place. 1622 G. de Malynes Consuetudo i. xxi. 141 The Merchant likewise doth couenant to pay..primage, and petilodmanidge to the master for the vse of his Cables to discharge the goods. 1699 W. Dampier Voy. & Descr. i. i. 4 Ships do usually take in water..yet they do as frequently discharge it again at some of these Islands, and take in better. 1720 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1852) III. 112 Preventing Sickly Vessels from discharging their goods or passengers. 1768 J. Cremer Jrnl. 15 July in R. R. Bellany Ramblin' Jack (1936) 144 On or about three weeks we got to Moahoan & Discharged all that was for that place. 1840 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast xx. 198 They came to anchor, moored ship, and commenced discharging hides and tallow. 1840 W. M. Thackeray Paris Sketch Bk. I. 2 The two coaches draw near, and from thence..trunks, children..and an affectionate wife, are discharged on the quay. 1897 M. Kingsley Trav. W. Afr. 139 Stopping at little villages to land passengers or at little sub-factories to discharge cargo. 1927 Times 5 Apr. p. xvi/3 Public service vehicles shall take up or discharge their passengers and goods in bays or pull-offs built for them. 1930 J. Masefield Wanderer of Liverpool 49 The ship discharged her chalk..and loaded case-oil. 2003 Limnol. & Oceanogr. 48 1707/2 They discharge cargo and load ballast water at a series of ports. †2. a. transitive. To relieve or free from something considered burdensome; to rid or free of something unwanted. Obsolete.In quot. c1384 intransitive with object implied. ΘΚΠ the world > space > place > absence > fact of being unoccupied > leave unoccupied [verb (transitive)] > clear out > clear of something undesirable winnowc825 purge1340 dischargec1384 weedc1400 devoida1500 rid?1526 shift1567 free1613 scuffle1766 delouse1942 c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Royal) (1850) James v. 15 The preier of feith shal saue the sijke, and the Lord shal discharge, or make him liȝt [L. alleviabit]. a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) Prol l. 302 Thei [sc. the clergy] wolde hemself descharge Of poverte and become grete. a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xvii. xcviii. 989 The appil tree waxeþ bareyne but it be..descharged of [water] bowes and of superfluite. a1438 Bk. Margery Kempe i. 116 I wil not letyn þe gon hens..les þan þu wil gon to my Lord of Lynkoln..in-as-meche as þu art in hys jurisdiccyon, þat I may be dischargyd of þe. c1450 (a1400) Orologium Sapientiæ in Anglia (1888) 10 330 Mye love descharges hem þat beþ ouerleyde with þe heve birþene of sinnes. 1555 W. Waterman tr. J. Boemus Fardle of Facions ii. viii. sig. Kviii^v The Yndiens alone, neuer discharged theim selues of any ouerplus of issue, as other haue done: but alwaie kepte their owne ofspryng at home in their owne countrie. 1576 A. Fleming tr. Cicero in Panoplie Epist. 89 The grauitie of your style in writing, which discharged me of despaire. 1600 J. Pory tr. J. Leo Africanus Geogr. Hist. Afr. ii. 157 He is bound..to discharge the citie of all leprous persons. 1658 J. Evelyn tr. N. de Bonnefons French Gardiner 92 You need onely discharge them of the dead wood. 1712 J. James tr. A.-J. Dézallier d'Argenville Theory & Pract. Gardening 188 At that Time the Earth being wholly discharged of its Moisture, is very dry. 1736 N. Bailey Dict. Domesticum 355 Discharge the fish of its scales and entrails. 1862 F. Hall tr. N. N. Gore Rational Refut. Hindu Philos. Syst. 103 The assertion..that whatever has misery for a quality can never be discharged of it. b. transitive. To deprive or dispossess (a person) of something. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > loss > taking away > take away [verb (transitive)] > deprive (of) benimc890 to do of ——eOE bedealc1000 disturbc1230 bereavec1275 reave?a1300 acquitc1300 benemec1300 deprivec1330 privea1382 subvertc1384 oppressc1395 abridgea1400 to bate of, from1399 lessa1400 nakena1400 dischargea1425 privatec1425 to bring outa1450 abatec1450 sever?1507 spulyie?1507 denude1513 disable1529 distrain1530 destituec1540 destitutec1540 defalk1541 to turn out of ——1545 discomfit1548 wipe1549 nude1551 disannul?a1556 bereft1557 diminish1559 benoom1563 joint1573 uncase1583 rid1585 disarm1590 visitc1592 ease1600 dispatch1604 unfurnisha1616 rig1629 retrench1640 unbecomea1641 disentail1641 cashier1690 twin1722 mulct1748 fordo1764 to do out of ——1796 to cut out1815 bate1823 deprivate1832 devoid1878 a1425 (?a1300) Kyng Alisaunder (Linc. Inn) (1952) l. 3836 Y am of Perce deschargid [c1400 Laud deshereted] Of Mede and of Assyre aquyted. a1439 J. Lydgate Fall of Princes (Bodl. 263) iii. 3744 Wher shal ther good be spent? Sum oon..shal hem therof discharge. 1520 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxf. (1880) 26 The same person..shalbe dischargied of his ffraunches. c. transitive. To put an end to; to get rid of, do away with. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > memory > effacement, obliteration > cancellation, revocation > annul, cancel, revoke [verb (transitive)] fordoOE allayOE withdrawc1290 withclepe13.. again-callc1390 to call againc1390 repealc1390 revokec1400 unmakec1400 rive1415 annulc1425 abroge1427 uncommandc1430 discharge?a1439 retreatc1443 retract1501 cancela1513 abrogate?1520 dissolve1526 extinct1531 rescind1531 abrenounce1537 infringe1543 recall1565 unwrite1577 extinguish1590 exauctorate1593 relinquish1594 unact1594 to strike off1597 undecide1601 unpass1606 to take off1609 to draw back1610 reclaim1615 to put back1616 abrenunciate1618 unrip1622 supersedeate1641 to set off1642 unassure1643 unorder1648 to ask away1649 disdetermine1651 unbespeak1661 undecree1667 reassumea1675 off-break1702 circumduct1726 raise1837 resiliate1838 denounce1841 disorder1852 pull1937 a1439 J. Lydgate Fall of Princes (Bodl. 263) i. l. 6921 Lat kyndnesse our loue nat so discharge. 1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Surueyeng xi. f. 12^v Mater in writyng, may nat be discharged by..bare wordes. 1561 in D. H. Fleming Reg. Christian Congregation St. Andrews (1889) I. 134 Lang efter the said citie wes reformed..all..papisticall jurisdiccione abolesched..the consistorie hows dischergit and stekyt up. 1614 State Papers Earl of Melrose (1837) I. 148 The truce was discharged yisternicht, and sevin houres the castell beliggered. 1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §236 All this dischargeth not the wonder. 1654 E. Wolley tr. ‘G. de Scudéry’ Curia Politiæ 173 I resolved to remove and discharge the Office of the Major of the Pallace. 1732 D. Neal Hist. Puritans I. 234 The Earl of Murray..convened a Parliament..in which the Pope's authority was again discharged. 1741 S. Richardson Pamela IV. vi. 34 If it be the natural Duty of a Mother, it is a Divine Duty; and how can a Husband have Power to discharge a Divine Duty? 1778 R. Lowth Isaiah (ed. 12) Prelim. Diss. 44 We can hardly expect..more..than to be able..to discharge and eliminate the errors that have been gathering..for about a thousand years past. 1853 Deb. & Proc. Constit. Conv. State Delaware 202/1 I am disposed, for one, to restrict the power until the State shall be in a condition to discharge slavery from it forever. 1863 N. Amer. Rev. Oct. 354 Both territory and people have been alienated and transferred, and duties and liabilities discharged and abolished. 3. a. transitive. To relieve of a duty, debt, or other obligation; to exempt, release from; spec. to release (a bankrupt) from further legal liability for debts contracted before his or her bankruptcy. Also: to remove (an obligation, requirement, or responsibility). Chiefly with from or of. ΘΚΠ society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > be exempt from (a liability or obligation) [verb (transitive)] > free from obligation freeeOE unbind1297 quitclaima1325 acquit1340 excuse1340 loose1340 releasec1350 assoil1366 soilc1384 dischargea1387 quita1387 relieve1416 absoil1440 deliver1440 acquittance1448 quiet1450 acquiet1453 absolve?a1475 defease1475 skill1481 relax1511 redeema1513 exoner1533 exonerate1548 solvec1550 distask1592 disgage1594 upsolve1601 disoblige1603 disengage1611 to get off1623 exclude1632 supersedea1644 to let off1814 to let out1869 a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1871) III. 247 (MED) He schulde descharge [L. laxaret] þe ministres of þe temple of al manere tribute. ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) ii. 313 (MED) Discharged wille þei be of þe grete oth þei suore. ?c1450 tr. Bk. Knight of La Tour Landry (1906) 56 She might haue saide, ‘Aske myn husbonde that questyon and not me,’ and thus she might haue discharged her of her ansuere. a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 48/1 Neither king nor Pope can geue any place such a priueledge, that it shall discharge a man of his dettes being able to paye. 1583 Ld. Burghley Execution of Iustice sig. Eiii^v Whether the pope may discharge y^e subiectes of her Maiestie..of their othes of obedience? 1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing v. i. 310 I discharge thee of thy prisoner, and I thanke thee. View more context for this quotation 1607 R. Parker Scholasticall Disc. against Antichrist i. iii. 126 Doth not the Lawe discarg from a vowe that which hath a superfluous member. 1714 tr. French Bk. of Rates 11 We have established the Imposition of 50 Sols per Ton, on the Freight of all Strangers Ships, at the same time discharging those of our own Subjects. 1784 Form Bankrupt's Certif. in T. E. Tomlins Jacob's Law Dict. (1797) (at cited word) We..testify and declare our consent..that the said John Thomas..be discharged from his debts in pursuance of the same act. 1786 J. Bacon Liber Regis Pref. p. iii An Account of the Valuations of all the Ecclesiastical Benefices in England and Wales, which are now charged with the Payment of First Fruits and Tenths, or were lately discharged from any Payment to those Revenues, on account of the Smallness of their Income. 1800 A. Cullen Princ. Bankrupt Law iii. 386 Although a bankrupt is discharged by a certificate regularly obtained, he may preclude himself from the benefit of it, by making himself liable on a new promise. 1858 Sat. Rev. 6 448/1 We are not discharged of our duties towards our female readers by any coyness on their part. 1863 H. Cox Inst. Eng. Govt. i. viii. 95 Some boroughs were discharged by the sheriffs from sending members. 1903 O. L. Lyman Trail Grand Seigneur vii. 64 The government afterward discharged him from the obligation he had incurred. 1973 T. Christensen Divine Order iv. 123 Man can never be discharged of responsibility for his sin. 2012 Straits Times (Singapore) (Nexis) 22 Mar. The IPTO wrote to tell her that it was prepared to discharge her bankruptcy. b. transitive. To clear or remove (an obligation, requirement, or responsibility) by fulfilling it; to pay (a debt), perform (a duty), carry out (a promise), etc. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > payment > payment of debt > pay debt [verb (transitive)] quit?c1225 acquita1250 to pay up1434 satisfy1437 discharge1439 defease1480 persolve1548 solve1558 defray1576 affray1584 clear1600 to pay off1607 extinguish1630 to lay downa1640 wipe1668 settle1688 sink1694 retrieve1711 to clear up1726 balance1740 liquidate1755 to clear off1766 square1821 amortize1830 1439 in Collectanea Topographica & Genealogica (1838) V. 14 (MED) I wold ratther yf he lykid that he shuld haue the cc marc payid to him withinne ye firste iiij yere..And ovir that c s. to his reward and relesse and discharge that seid annuitee. a1525 Seven S. 872 Thai..tuke of moble sic plente That all his dettis he couth discharge. 1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles II. ccxxiv. [ccxx.] 701 His entent was not to departe thens tyll euery thynge was payed and discharge [d] . 1542 N. Udall in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eminent Lit. Men (1843) 2 Only of an honest purpose to discharge my debtes. a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) iv. i. 13 I will discharge my bond. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) iv. xv. 28 Death of one person, can be paide but once, And that she ha's discharg'd . View more context for this quotation 1694 A. Boyer Compl. French-master iii. xvii 102 I have often try'd in vain to discharge the promise I made you before I went away, to send you the particulars of our Journey. 1725 E. Fenton in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey I. i. 329 Soon may your Sire discharge the vengeance due. 1767 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. (new ed.) II. 141 If I am bound to pay money on any certain day, I discharge the obligation if I pay it before twelve o'clock at night. 1793 R. Bisset Biogr. Sketch Authors of Spectator 146 in Spectator 1 Sir Richard then returned home, having retired that day only to avoid his creditors, and composed the pamphlet to discharge the reckoning. 1827 H. Hallam Constit. Hist. Eng. I. vi. 363 By no means sufficient to defray his expenses, far less to discharge his debts. 1885 Law Times 79 172/1 If forbearance were shown, the defaulting solicitor would be able to discharge his liabilities. 1907 Times 4 Dec. 11/6 There were those who had not discharged their debts of honour. 1958 M. Roberts Gustavus Adolphus II. i. 43 Gustav Vasa..discharged his debt to Lübeck in goods. 2003 Contemp. Lit. 44 257 We may never fully make amends for wrongs done in the past or discharge our responsibility. c. transitive (reflexive). To perform or fulfil a duty, responsibility, etc., and thereby remove it; to relieve oneself of an obligation by fulfilling it. ΘΚΠ society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > perform one's duty [verb (reflexive)] quitc1395 quiet1450 fand1488 discharge1539 bequit1577 1539 R. Taverner tr. W. Capito Summe 150 Psalmes sig. F.ij^v Tenne thousand myllions of golde I owe the, Lord, I am not hable to paye, I can not discharge my selfe. ?1572 T. Paynell tr. Treasurie Amadis of Fraunce iii. 71 I am content to discharge me of my fidelitie and homage that I owe you. And returne to my countrie. 1656 B. Harris tr. J. N. de Parival Hist. Iron Age ii. ii. vi. 247 To discharge themselves of a part of their debts. 1760 L. Sterne Serm. Mr. Yorick II. xiii. 178 The earnest desire which he had upon the immediate receipt of this [debt of kindness], to discharge himself of it. 1824 J. Bryant Acct. Insurrection Negro Slaves Demerara p. vii The Author..conceived that, by a plain Narrative of the facts, he would discharge himself of a public duty. 1851 W. H. Seward in G. E. Baker Life W. H. Seward (1855) xxi. 277 Let us signalize an epoch so important in commerce and politics, by justly discharging ourselves for ever from the yet remaining obligations of the first and most sacred of all our national engagements. 1920 P. Lubbock Lett. Henry James I. v. 273 He often groaned under his postal burden. He discharged himself of it, in general, very late at night. 2010 S. M. Nadler Best of All Possible Worlds (new ed.) i. 16 After announcing his presence to Pomponne and thereby discharging himself of his first official order of business, Leibniz wasted no time. †d. transitive. To pay (a creditor). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > payment > payment of debt > pay debt [verb (transitive)] > pay a creditor satisfy1426 repaya1530 dischargea1560 clear1609 to meet with1854 straighten1946 a1560 A. Robsart Let. in Westm. Gaz. (1894) 21 Apr. 4/1 To make this gowne of vellet whiche I sende you..and I will se you dyscharged for all. 1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iii. ii. 271 If he had the present money to discharge the Iew, hee would not take it. View more context for this quotation 1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 392 The Husbandman..reaps the Fruit of his Labour, provided he take care to discharge his Landlord. 1793 R. Wooddeson Systematical View Laws of Eng. III. xlvii. 166 He may afterwards be liable, if the assetts of the testator or intestate prove deficient, to discharge a specialty creditor out of his own effects. †e. transitive. To pay for (goods, services, etc.). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > payment > pay money or things [verb (transitive)] > bear or defray the cost of quitc1275 maintaina1425 pay1446 fray1450 abye1503 price?a1513 be1520 to stand to ——1540 disburse1548 defray1581 discharge1587 reimburse1591 discount1647 to be at the charge(s of1655 to pay off1711 stand1808 pop1947 1587 R. Greene Euphues sig. L3^v The summe amounted not to so much as would discharge his passage into Sycilia. 1592 T. Nashe Strange Newes To Reader sig. B2 That thou mayst haue money to goe home to Trinitie Hall to discharge thy commons. c1684 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1646 (1955) II. 505 The very next morning..discharging our Lodgings we agreed for a Coach to Carry us. 1730 J. Swift Libel on Doctor D——ny 3 Crazy Congreve scarce cou'd spare A Shilling to discharge his Chair. 1815 W. H. Ireland Scribbleomania 156 She literally was without a shilling to discharge the vehicle which had conveyed her to the metropolis. 1842 C. Whitehead Richard Savage (1845) II. iv. 218 I had discharged my lodging that morning. †f. transitive. To account for (one's conduct, actions, etc.). Obsolete. rare. ΚΠ a1599 E. Spenser Canto Mutabilitie vi. xvii, in Faerie Queene (1609) sig. Hh5 He bade her..Ceasse to molest the Moone to walke at large, Or come before high Ioue, her dooings to discharge. †g. transitive. To transfer (a responsibility, etc.) to someone else; to put (responsibility for something) on another. Cf. charge v. 16. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > be exempt from (a liability or obligation) [verb (transitive)] > transfer (a duty) to another post1563 discharge1605 shirk1845 1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. i. vi. 195 They doo discharge On others shoulders their sweet-bitter Charge. 1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxvii. 292 Part of the fault may be discharged on the punisher. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis xii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 585 'Tis not a Crime t' attempt what I decree, Or if it were, discharge the Crime on me. 4. a. transitive (reflexive). To relieve oneself of an office or employment; to resign from or quit a post; to renounce one's duties. Chiefly with from (also †of). Now rare. ΘΚΠ society > authority > office > withdrawing from or vacating office > vacate office [verb (reflexive)] dischargec1425 society > occupation and work > lack of work > [verb (reflexive)] > resign dischargec1425 c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) v. l. 2642 (MED) I wil now..Me dischange [read discharge] of al gouernaunce..septer & crowne frely I resigne. 1484 W. Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry Bk. Knight of Tower (1971) xliiii. 191 Syre I rendre and discharge me of your offyce. c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 137 Now is tyme in this tru..To discharge me as cheftain. 1669 W. Petre tr. P. de Ribadeneyra Lives Saints 343/1 Ubaldus was much afflicted: and consulted with a most holy man whether he might not take this occasion to discharge himself of the office and dignity of Prior. 1707 W. Pearson Case Curate Penrith 19 A Clergyman..obtain'd such a Writ of Privilege to exempt him from the Office of Expenditor..as, no doubt Mr. L—in this Case might have done, to discharge Himself of the Office of Church-warden. 1839 B. McMahon Jamaica Plantership 109 I discharged myself from Hopewell, and became so disgusted with the planting line, that I made up my mind to leave it altogether. 1870 Banner of Truth (Hackensack, New Jersey) 1 Aug. 212/1 Show the reasons for discharging myself from the parochial duties of this or any other congregation. 1905 Ont. Law Rep. 9 368 He is in the position of a trustee for sale and he is unable to discharge himself from that position without the consent of his cestuis que trust. 1917 Rep. Commissioners, Inspectors & Others University Educ. (Wales) 220 in Parl. Papers 1917–18 (Cd. 8500) XII. 1 The late King, shortly after his accession, resigned, or rather discharged himself from the office [of Chancellor of the University of Wales]. b. transitive. To remove or release (a person) from office or employment; to dismiss from a post, service, etc. Frequently with from (also †of). Cf. sense 10c.In quot. 1738 with direct and indirect object. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > lack of work > [verb (transitive)] > dismiss or discharge to put awaya1387 discharge1428 dismiss1477 to put out of wages1542 discard1589 to turn away1602 to put off1608 disemploy1619 to pay off1648 to pay off1651 to turn out1667 to turn off1676 quietus1688 strip1756 trundle1794 unshop1839 shopc1840 to lay off1841 sack1841 drop1845 to give (a person) the shoot1846 bag1848 swap1862 fire1879 to knock off1881 bounce1884 to give (a person) the pushc1886 to give (a person) the boot or the order of the boot1888 bump1899 spear1911 to strike (a medical practitioner, etc.) off the register1911 terminate1920 tramp1941 shitcan1961 pink slip1966 dehire1970 resize1975 to give a person his jotters1990 1428 in J. Raine Vol. Eng. Misc. N. Counties Eng. (1890) 4 (MED) Ye Counsell of ye sayd cite discharged ye said John Lyllyng of ye Counsell of the chambre, and of hys fredom of franchise of ye cite. 1476 in L. T. Smith York Plays (1885) p. xxxvii All..insufficiant personnes..to discharge, ammove, and avoide. 1529 H. Latimer 1st Serm. on Card i The king, seeing the great infidelity of this person, dischargeth this man of his office. 1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. cxxxv^v The duke of Yorke was discharged of the office of Regent. 1599 S. Harsnett Discov. Fraudulent Pract. I. Darrel 94 About a Moneth or five weekes after he was Discharged of M. Brakenburies Service. 1664 J. Evelyn Mem. (1857) III. 144 Being..discovered to be a rampant Socinian, he was discharged of employment. 1738 Comm. Sense (1739) II. 203 Enemies..insisted I should be forthwith discharged his Service. 1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 138. 15 She gave away the dogs, discharged the servants of the kennel and stable, and sent the horses to the next fair. 1837 Lit. Gaz. 22 Apr. 258/3 It appears he discharged the maid servant, and was several days in the house, coolly pursuing his horrid purpose of cutting up and concealing the body. 1884 D. Pae Eustace 67 You are an idle, drunken vagabond, and I'll have you discharged. 1929 E. A. Powell Last Home of Myst. i. 24 We met along the road several large groups of pickers who, having shown signs of becoming obstreperous, had been discharged en masse. 1966 Monumenta Nipponica 21 3 The family stipend was reduced by another fifty percent and the mother was obliged to discharge the servants. 2006 Times (Nexis) 7 Feb. 56 He next joined the GPO... But by this time his lung condition had been diagnosed as tuberculosis, and he was discharged from this employment, too. c. transitive. Chiefly Scots Law. To renounce (a right, claim, etc.), esp. by means of a formal declaration (formerly also reflexive with complement specifying the claim renounced). Formerly also: †to resign, surrender, or relinquish (an office, possession, entitlement, etc.) (obsolete). Cf. renounce v. 2a. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > relinquishing > relinquish or give up [verb (transitive)] > renounce to claim quitc1314 to quit claimc1314 remisea1325 release1379 remit1379 renouncec1400 to put apart1455 discharge1466 to swear out1598 to quit claim to1664 remiss1701 cut1791 renunciate1848 1466 in T. Thomson Acts Lords Auditors (1839) 5/1 That..he..suld in continent discharge and gif our the saide office to the saide Malcolm. 1512 in M. Livingstone Reg. Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum (1908) I. 358/2 Renunciand and dischargeand the sammyn [lands, etc.] to the said Adam, his airis and assignais for euer. 1516 in J. D. Marwick Extracts Rec. Burgh Edinb. (1869) I. 159 Dauid Mailvill..hes frelie gevin over and dischargit him quite of the bigging that he hes maid vpoun the Borrow mure. 1536 in J. D. Marwick Extracts Rec. Burgh Edinb. (1871) II. 78 That he sall renonce, quytclame, discharge and resigne..his annuell rent of ten merkis. 1691 Replyes for Alexander Monro of Bearcrofts 2 The abovementioned Storie ought to derogate nothing from the sufficiency of Alexander Monro's Title to the Clerkship in point of Right, nor yet hinder him from being restored in Justice to his said Office notwithstanding of his Recept of the 7000 Merks, and Discharging his Office thereupon. 1754 Wiilliam Douglas & Thomas Belscher, Appellants: Respondent's Case 1 Elizabeth Brown..and William Keith her Husband, discharge and renounce, in Favour of the Earl, a Wadset or Mortgage of 600 Merks, which they had upon his Lands of Annacroich. 1842 C. Clark & W. Finnelly Rep. Cases Lords Appeals & Writs of Error VI. 931 The Appellant, actuated by kind feelings to them, agreed to discharge and renounce all claims against Mrs. Tennent, on receiving from her 6,737l. 1989 Laws of Scotl. XXV. 271 It was normal in ante-nuptial marriage contracts for spouses to discharge their legal rights inter se. 1997 Sc. Hist. Rev. 76 217 Lady Appin formally discharged and renounced her claim on 5 April 1759. †5. transitive. To clear of a charge or accusation; to exculpate, exonerate. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > judging > acquittal or clearing of accusation > acquit or clear of accusation [verb (transitive)] quitc1300 acquita1393 discharge?a1439 acquittance1448 assoil1528 rid1530 absolve1539 to bring off1609 disimpeach1611 a1439 J. Lydgate Fall of Princes (Bodl. 263) ii. l. 1132 Whos wikkednesse ouhte to bere the charge, And we off riht thi conscience discharge. a1500 Lancelot of Laik (1870) 3227 Bot, if god will, I sal me son discharg. Say to sir kay, I sal not ber the charg, He sal no mater have me to rapref. 1535 in T. Wright Three Chapters Lett. Suppression Monasteries (1843) 58 The pope..gave hym licens to kepe an hore, and hath goode writyng sub plumbo to discharge his conscience. 1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Discharge..extra culpam ponere. 1654 J. Bramhall Just Vindic. Church of Eng. ix. 245 But it is not enough to charge the Church of Rome, unless we can discharge our selves, and acquit our own Church of the guilt of Schisme. 1657 T. Aylesbury Treat. Confession of Sinne vii. 132 We may well doubt if every Sir John's absolution discharge us before god. 1742 H. Fielding Joseph Andrews I. i. xv. 102 The Constable hath not been discharged of Suspicion on this account. View more context for this quotation 1795 W. Seward Anecd. III. 220 I now completely discharge him from the accusation which I made against him in that situation. He is an honest man. 6. a. transitive (reflexive). To acquit oneself in some respect; to carry out or successfully undertake a role, task, or commission; to perform a duty, fulfil an office or its functions. Frequently with of. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > carrying out > execute or perform [verb (reflexive)] dischargec1440 c1440 (?a1400) Morte Arthure l. 1322 (MED) I hafe dyschargide me here, chalange whoo lykez, Before all thy cheualrye. 1574 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xlii. 535 Sic preichouris..That thinkis thame selfis dischargit weill, Quhen thay haue run ouir..Thair sairles sermone. 1587 F. Thynne Ann. Scotl. 447/1 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) II Such magistrates..as neither are comburgesses, nor apt to discharge themselues of such offices. 1660 J. Barwick Hieronikes 91 This Reverend Bishop having so well discharged himself of his duty in those places he had formerly sustained in the Church, it was his Majesties pleasure to have him translated to the See of Duresme. 1705 J. Addison Remarks Italy 94 Yet 'tis observ'd of 'em, that they discharge themselves with a great deal of Dexterity in such Embassies..as are laid on 'em. 1756 T. Birch Hist. Royal Soc. II. 122 Extracts to be made..of the respective experiments..in order that everyone, who stood charged with any, might know the particulars, and mind the better to discharge himself of his task. 1883 E. F. Turner Duties Solicitor to Client i. 8 A solicitor..comes under an obligation to discharge himself of any task which he undertakes with reasonable care and skill. 1904 National Cycl. Amer. Biogr. XII. 412/1 He again visited Europe..in 1855 and 1864, both times discharging himself of his mission to the entire satisfaction of his superior. 2006 A. Van Dan Cageling xvii. 201 He was incapable of mustering enough courage to discharge himself of this task. b. transitive. To carry out, execute, perform (an office, duty, function, task, etc.) satisfactorily or successfully. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > carrying out > execute, perform, or carry out [verb (transitive)] > an office or function takec1350 execute1387 servea1450 acquitc1460 supply?a1475 discharge1542 undergo1609 fungify1650 sustain1700 society > authority > office > [verb (transitive)] > perform office doOE discharge1542 officiate1615 society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > discharge (an obligation) [verb (transitive)] pay?c1225 ministera1382 acquitc1460 discharge1542 assoil1596 1542 R. Taverner Second Bk. Garden of Wysedome (new ed.) f. 4 Wythout these, it shalbe very hard for them, to furnysh and dyscharge the offyces whervnto they be appoynted. 1548 H. Latimer Notable Serm. sig. A.vii^v A soore word for them that are neglygent in dischargynge theyr offyce. 1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream v. i. 203 Thus haue I, Wall, my part discharged so. View more context for this quotation a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Lanc. 121 He was High-sheriffe of this County, 1635, discharging the place with great Honour. 1719 in W. S. Perry Hist. Coll. Amer. Colonial Church: Virginia (1870) I. 216 Let me..exhort you to discharge a good conscience in this matter. 1755 S. Johnson Let. 6 May (1992) I. 107 When the duty that calls me to Lichfield is discharged, my inclination will hurry me to Langton. a1853 F. W. Robertson Serm. (1857) 3rd Ser. vii. 92 They appointed one of their number..to discharge those offices for them. 1959 N. Mailer Advert. for Myself (1961) 119 Whenever responsibility had been handed to him, he had discharged it miserably, tensely, overconscientiously. 2009 Times (Nexis) 21 May 67 Although the Attorney-General..can recuse herself, the DPP is legally obliged to discharge his functions under her superintendence. 7. transitive. To forbid (a person, etc.) to do something; to ban from (†of) doing; to prohibit (an action, practice, etc.). In early use also with direct and indirect object: to forbid (a person) (something). Cf. charge v. 14. Now disused (chiefly English regional and Scots Law in later use). ΘΚΠ society > authority > subjection > prohibition > prohibit [verb (transitive)] forwarnc893 warnc893 forbidOE forhightc1315 defendc1325 forfend1382 dischargec1450 prohibit?a1475 bidc1475 withsay1484 fenda1500 abara1504 prohibit1526 debara1529 forbodec1540 exempt1553 forspeak1565 disbar1567 forsay1579 enjoin1589 abjudicate1602 countermanda1616 forjudge1675 restrict1766 oppose1814 fen1823 embargo1824 nix1903 ixnay1937 c1450 Alphabet of Tales (1904) I. 228 (MED) He forbad þaim to speke any thyng bod opynlie, and dischargid þaim þe company & spekyng with of any strangiers. 1547 J. B. Paul Accts. Treasurer Scotl. (1911) IX. 120 Letterres..dischargeing all boittis to pas upon the se, bot to bryng owre folkes annerlie. 1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1895) II. 89 This parleament..discharges al man the futball, and al sik games. 1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. ix. 389 The Cardinall..discharged him to say Masse for a yeare. 1693 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1852) I. 368 And discharge all others from Transporting Anie persons over the Skuillkill. ?1709 Act against Innovations in Worship (Church of Scotl.) (single sheet) The General Assembly..Do hereby Discharge the Practice of all such Innovations. 1716 R. Wodrow Corr. (1843) II. 120 The ministers..were discharged to pray for King George even in their families. 1811 W. Milnes Let. 22 Dec. in A. Aspinall Early Eng. Trade Unions (1949) iv. 118 Where they found a frame worked by a person who had not served a regular apprenticeship, or by a woman, they discharged them from working. 1856 T. Chitty Forms Pract. Proc. (ed. 7) xiii. i. 875 I do hereby discharge and prohibit the said A. A. from making any award. 1881 S. Evans Evans's Leicestershire Words (new ed.) (at cited word) A dischaa'ged 'im of ivver comin' agen o' the graound. 1898 Sc. Law Reporter 35 613/1 The complainer prayed the Court..to interdict, prohibit, and discharge the respondents from levying or enforcing payment of any assessment upon any property within the parliamentary burgh of Oban. 1936 Session Cases 112 To suspend the proceedings complained of, and to interdict, prohibit and discharge the Corporation of the City of Glasgow..from establishing..a department which would manufacture, provide and supply..all such manufactured stationery requirements of the Corporation. 8. †a. intransitive. To fire a weapon, let fly or launch a missile, etc. Frequently with on (or upon). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > discharge missile [verb (intransitive)] shoot993 loose1387 discharge1481 fire1848 1481 W. Caxton tr. Siege & Conqueste Jerusalem (1893) xcv. 147 Oure meyne discarged [i.e. arrows] on them [Fr. Por ce quant li Flamene deschargierent sor aux, cil ne les porent souffrir, einz s'enfoïrent tantost]. 1578 W. B. tr. Appian of Alexandria Aunc. Hist. Romanes Warres ii. 158 He brought his shotte, commaunding them to discharge vppon them, neither all togither, nor too nighe the enimie. 1647 N. Nye Art of Gunnery i. 39 He should know how to charge and discharge Gunner like. 1684 Scanderbeg Redivivus vi. 144 The Turks having Discharged, again retired. 1739 tr. C. Rollin Anc. Hist. (ed. 2) III. 459 Archers, who discharged perpetually upon them. 1774 O. Goldsmith Grecian Hist. I. viii. 297 The enemy's cavalry..discharged perpetually upon them. 1825 Edinb. Mag. & Literary Misc. Oct. 443/2 And after we had received their fire, we discharged upon them again very vigorously. b. transitive. To fire (a shot, bullet, etc.). In early use also: †to let fly, launch (a missile, a blow, etc.) (obsolete). Also figurative and in figurative contexts. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > impelling or driving > projecting through space or throwing > throw [verb (transitive)] > project through space to let flyOE shootc1290 bolta1420 dischargec1500 speeda1569 outshoota1586 emit1711 wing1718 wise1721 arrow1796 wing1970 bomb- society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > assail with missiles [verb (transitive)] > discharge (missile) sendc825 to let flyOE slenga1300 castc1325 lancec1330 throwa1382 launch?a1400 whirlc1440 fling1487 dischargec1500 to let goc1500 streek1513 deliver1574 level1592 fire1887 c1500 Melusine (1895) 369 He..wold haue take the swerd to haue descharged it vpon the serpent. 1574 B. Rich Right Exelent Dialogue Mercury & Eng. Souldier sig. Aiv Too my farewell, certayne voll of shot discharged in hope of my good speede. a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) ii. i. 57 They doe discharge the shot of courtesie. View more context for this quotation 1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. v. 75 Of the..Motion or Course of a Shot discharged out of any Piece of Ordnance. 1726 A. Pope tr. Homer Odyssey V. xxii. 276 Let each at once discharge the deadly dart. 1771 O. Goldsmith Hist. Eng. I. 196 A Norman knight..discharged at his head two..furious strokes of a sabre. 1817 C. Wolfe Burial Sir J. Moore in Edinb. Monthly Mag. June 277/2 Not a soldier discharged his farewell shot O'er the grave where our hero we buried. 1839 G. M. Bussey Forster's Arabian Nights Entertainm. 306/2 The king, my father, discharged an arrow, which pierced his breast. 1905 T. F. Tout Hist. Eng. Henry III. to Edward III. xviii. 417 A ring of bastilles was erected round the doomed town, and cannon discharged huge balls of stone against its ramparts. 1968 B. England Figures in Landscape 106 The gun discharged an entire magazine in one long burst. 1974 J. C. Ewers Horsemen of Plains in J. Billard World of Amer. Indian 294 The Sioux could not understand this noisy metal rod that discharged a deadly missile so fast that the eye could not follow its flight. 2007 Vanity Fair June 114/3 High-velocity weapons discharging blizzards of bullets. c. transitive. To fire (a weapon); to set off, detonate (a bomb, firework, etc.). ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > assail with missiles [verb (transitive)] > discharge (a missile weapon) shoot1482 discharge1523 1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. f. xxvii^v/1 They of Quesnoy dyscharged certayne peces of artyllery. 1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde iii. xi. f. 159 The gouernoure discharged [L. exonerat] aboute .xx. pieces of ordinaunce ageynste them. 1601 W. Walker tr. J. C. van Neck Jrnl. Voy. Eight Shippes of Amsterdam f. 13 We discharged a peece to warne the other ships thereof. 1659 in J. Stuart Extracts Council Reg. Aberdeen (1872) IV. 311 The touns guns to be dischairgit. a1711 R. Bulstrode Mem. Reign Charles I & Charles II (1721) 95 Not far distant from Gloucester, he discharged some Cannon, to give them Notice of his Coming. 1786 T. Baldwin Airopaidia viii. 55 Their Form was, as if Pieces of Ordnance were discharged perpendicularly upwards into the Air. 1824 Ld. Byron Lett. & Jrnls. (1981) XI. 124 We had..an earthquake..and the whole army discharged their arms—upon the same principle that savages beat drums or howl during an eclipse of the moon. 1874 Frank Leslie's Pleasant Hours 15 238/1 A Detroit boy stole a rocket..and discharged the firework while it was lying on the ground. 1905 Bystander 14 June 528/2 You cannot discharge a bomb without attracting some attention. 1980 I. Colegate Shooting Party (1982) 74 Each shooter discharged his two barrels. 2009 J. F. Ross War on Run (2011) ii. x. 128 Some rangers..looked agape at their attackers, discharged their muskets, then laboriously scattered downhill. d. intransitive. Of a weapon: to fire; to go off.In quot. 1803 transitive (reflexive) in the same sense. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > discharge of firearms > discharge firearms [verb (intransitive)] > of gun: go off or fire fire1542 discharge1565 shoota1575 go1598 to let fly1611 scatter1736 poop1915 1565 T. Norton & T. Sackville Gorboduc sig. Diiii These after their Peeces discharged, and that the Armed men had three tymes marched aboute the Stage, departed. c1575 J. Hooker Life Sir P. Carew in Archaeologia (1840) 28 139 The matche gave fier, and the pece dyschardged. 1582 N. Lichefield tr. F. L. de Castanheda 1st Bk. Hist. Discouerie E. Indias lxxi. 144 b Some of the Ordinaunce of the fleete beganne to discharge. 1623 W. Traheron & E. Grimeston tr. P. Mexia Imperiall Hist. 764 All the Bells rung, and the ordinance of the towne often discharged. 1754 Boston Gaz. 21 May 4/1 To be sold..An Air-Gun, which discharges ten Times without Powder in half a Minute. 1803 M. Lewis Jrnl. 30 Aug. in Jrnls. Lewis & Clark Exped. (1986) 65 Mr. Blaze Cenas being unacquainted with the management of the gun suffered her to discharge herself accedentaly. 1899 Daily News 12 June 3/4 Kennerley was not aware that the firearm was loaded, and it discharged in his face. 1900 Hampshire Advertiser 18 July 1/7 A comrade named Lee..was engaged cleaning his rifle when the weapon discharged. 1991 St. Louis (Missouri) Post-Dispatch (Nexis) 6 Dec. 9 a Hollenberg could not explain why the grenade discharged. He did not release the lever or pull the pin. 2011 G. W. Moore Hey Buddy xxi. 119 I suppose it is possible that the gun discharged accidentally. 9. transitive. Law. To put an end to the obligation of (a legal instrument or document); to render no longer legally binding; to cancel, annul (an order of court), terminate (a contract), etc. Cf. discharge n. 14. ΘΚΠ society > law > rule of law > illegality > render illegal [verb (transitive)] > deprive of legal validity abatea1325 squatcha1325 voida1325 allayc1325 annul1395 reverse1395 revokec1400 rupt?a1425 repealc1425 abroge1427 defeat1429 purloin1461 cassa1464 toll1467 resume1472 reprove1479 suspend1488 discharge1495 reduce1498 cassate1512 defease1512 denulla1513 disannula1513 fordoa1513 avoid1514–5 abrogate?1520 frustrate1528 revert1528 disaffirm?1530 extinct1530 resolve1537 null1538 nihilate1545 extinguish1548 elidec1554 revocate1564 annullate1570 squat1577 skaila1583 irritate1605 retex1606 nullify1607 unable1611 refix1621 vitiate1627 invalid1643 vacate1643 unlaw1644 outlaw1647 invalidate1649 disenact1651 vacuate1654 supersedec1674 destroy1805 break1891 1495 in Acts Lords of Council Civil Causes (1839) I. 405/2 That thai dischargeit the infefting of thaim and thair airis in the saidis landis contenit in his said obligacioun and defesit him thairof. 1566 in W. Mackay & H. C. Boyd Rec. Inverness (1911) I. 136 William Fraysser..hes dischargit the act of souerte..quharthrow the said Robert suld entyr the blude drawer of Robert Scot. 1599 in D. Masson Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1884) 1st Ser. VI. 41 Thay..have now be ane uther act cassit, annullit and dischargeit thair formar act forsaid. 1674 J. Godolphin Orphans Legacy ii. 133 If a man do make a Contract to pay certain money for a thing bought by him, if he make an Obligation for the money, the Contract is discharged, and he shall not have an Action of Debt upon the Contract. 1725 Rep. Court of Chancery during Time H. Finch 364 The Plaintiff thereupon obtains an Order to discharge that last Order. 1798 A. J. Dallas Rep. Cases U.S. & Pennsylvania 2 33 Therefore adjudge..that the order of the court..be discharged. 1808 Parl. Deb. 1st Ser. 1409 Other..business..might render it improper to discharge the order: the call might be postponed for a few days without being discharged. 1885 Law Times 79 175/1 The order..was entirely wrong, and must be discharged with costs. 1896 E. A. Harriman Elem. Law Contracts x. 286 The breach does not..operate to discharge the contract unless the injured party elects to treat it as a discharge. 1925 Cambr. Law Jrnl. 2 223 In order to discharge the contract unforeseen circumstances must have occurred to make the contract impossible of performance. 1985 Daily Tel. 22 June 3/5 The court..discharged the adoption order and made the child a ward of court. 2006 Afr. News (Nexis) 16 Jan. Judge Muller at the same time discharged a court order..in terms of which the transfer of the ownership of all 88 auctioned plots had been stopped. 10. To allow or require to leave; to dismiss, send away, let go. a. transitive. To release (a prisoner, or a person charged with an offence) from prison or custody; to liberate. ΘΚΠ society > law > administration of justice > general proceedings > arrest > [verb (transitive)] > release from custody dischargec1503 dismiss1647 c1503 R. Arnold Chron. f. li/1 Your sayd oratour shuld bee dischargyd from prison. 1556 in J. G. Nichols Chron. Grey Friars (1852) 82 The duke of Norfoke..and the byshoppe of Wyssiter had their pardone, and ware dyschargyd. 1699 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1852) I. 549 Requesting to be discharged from his confinement. 1725 G. Jacob Student's Compan. 76 If they are not Tried the second Term or Session, &c. they shal be Discharged. 1771 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) II. xliv. 163 The..magistrate..declares the warrant illegal, and discharges the prisoner. 1797 Monthly Mag. 3 550 The sheriff may then discharge the defendant. 1800 Deb. House Commons Ireland 15 May 51 If a man..instead of pleading not guilty, tries to get off on a quibble of his counsel, though he may be discharged from custody, he will never be discharged from guilt. 1869 H. U. Browne Rep. Police Chittagong Div. 1868 44 The Deputy Magistrate..was of the opinion..that the woman had hanged herself, and therefore discharged the accused. 1887 Times 26 Aug. 10/2 Mr. d'Eyncourt discharged a man accused of picking pockets. 1948 A. Paton Cry, Beloved Country ii. xi. 190 The guilt of the second and third accused is not established, and they will be accordingly discharged. 1985 R. C. A. White Admin. of Justice II. iv. 62 The magistrate must either commit the defendant to the Crown Court for trial or discharge him. 2009 Univ. Chicago Law Rev. 76 1129 Whitney was discharged from custody with out any determination of innocence or guilt. b. transitive. To dismiss from or allow to leave the armed forces or police. Cf. sense 4. ΚΠ 1539 T. Elyot Bankette of Sapience f. 24^v The emperour Alexander, heryng that a poore olde woman was yl intreated with one of his souldiours, he discharged hym, and gaue hym in bondage vnto the woman. 1600 E. Blount tr. G. F. di Conestaggio Hist. Uniting Portugall to Castill 120 They woulde not discharge the souldiers. 1764 D. Monro Acct. Dis. Brit. Mil. Hosp. 94 He was shipped off for England on the 8th of February; having been discharged from his Regiment. 1846 R. Cobbold Mary Anne Wellington iv. 71 After twenty-seven years of active service, Thomas Hewitt was discharged. 1903 Times 4 May 3/4 For 18 months he was on the sick list, and in the end he had to be discharged from the police force as unfit for further service. 1951 R. Campbell Light on Dark Horse 8 I was discharged from the Army with ‘excellent’ military conduct. 1995 Guardian 24 Aug. i. 1/1 Soldiers..who are being punished before being dishonourably discharged. 2010 R. Skloot Immortal Life Henrietta Lacks (2011) xix. 167 After multiple psychiatric evaluations and treatments, Joe was discharged for an inability to adjust emotionally to military life. c. transitive. gen. To tell (a person) that he or she can or must leave; (now esp.) to allow (a patient) to leave hospital because they are judged fit; to dismiss (a juror or jury) from serving in a case.In quot. 1652 with double object: to send (a person) away from (a place). ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > causing to go away > command to go away [verb (transitive)] > send away or dismiss congeec1330 turnc1330 putc1350 dismitc1384 refusea1387 repel?a1439 avyec1440 avoida1464 depart1484 license1484 to give (a person) his (also her, etc.) leave?a1513 demit1529 dispatcha1533 senda1533 to send a grazing1533 demise1541 dimiss1543 abandon1548 dimit1548 discharge1548 dismiss1548 to turn off1564 aband1574 quit1575 hencea1586 cashier1592 to turn away1602 disband1604 amand1611 absquatulize1829 chassé1847 to send to the pack1912 1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. ccxliiij He discharged the Iury. 1592 A. Day 2nd Pt. Eng. Secretorie sig. D3^v, in Eng. Secretorie (rev. ed.) Whome your selfe knew an howre before our conference, to haue beene discharged our company. 1652 J. Wadsworth tr. P. de Sandoval Civil Wars Spain 333 Requiring the Commissioners forthwith to discharge him the Citie. 1734 T. Salmon Mod. Hist. XXIII. 55 It was in the Discretion of the Court to discharge the Jury without taking a Verdict. 1807 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 17 316 At the end of which time..the girl was a second time discharged cured. 1893 Law Times 95 249/2 The jury, having informed the court that they had no presentment to make, were discharged. 1939 C. Isherwood Goodbye to Berlin 208 Each time she had been discharged as cured, but within nine months or a year she would have a relapse and have to be sent back again. 1967 Jrnl. Criminal Law, Criminol. & Police Sci. 58 211/1 A..juror was discharged because the police received information that he had been offered a bribe and was considering it. 2006 ‘T. Reynolds’ Blood, Sweat & Tea (2009) 74 She was discharged later in the day. She was exceptionally lucky—if you can call getting beaned by a brick ‘lucky’. 11. a. transitive (reflexive). To relieve or unburden oneself by giving vent to words, feelings, etc. Frequently with of. Now rare.In quot. 1892: (of an emotion) to find release. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > aspects of emotion > manifestation of emotion > manifest itself (of an emotion) [verb (reflexive)] > exhibit emotion discharge1523 expand1656 1523 J. Skelton Goodly Garlande of Laurell 1353 I wyll myself discharge To lettered men at large. 1713 R. Steele in Guardian 14 Apr. 2/2 We now and then discharge our selves in a Symphony of Laughter. 1752 H. Fielding Amelia II. v. i. 95 The Colonel..discharged himself of two or three Articles of News. 1837 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers xliv. 479 ‘Wot are you a roarin' at?’ said Sam impetuously, when the old gentleman had discharged himself of another shout. 1892 I. Zangwill Children of Ghetto II. i. xxii. 154 Moses bore the loss with resignation, his emotions discharging themselves in the daily Kaddish. 1926 E. Bowen Ann Lee's 148 He could not discharge himself of what he had come out to say: it was no longer there. b. transitive. To give utterance or expression to (one's feelings, opinions, etc.); to vent or release (anger, emotion, etc.). ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > speak, say, or utter [verb (transitive)] > give expression to sayOE talkc1275 soundc1386 outc1390 shedc1420 utterc1445 conveya1568 discharge1586 vent1602 dicta1605 frame1608 voice1612 pass?1614 language1628 ventilate1637 to give venta1640 vend1657 clothe1671 to take out1692 to give mouth to1825 verbalize1840 to let out1853 vocalize1872 1586 E. Hoby tr. M. Coignet Polit. Disc. Trueth xi. 32 And further discharging his choler at that time..he greatly blamed the diuersitie and changing of Edicts and ordinances. 1600 E. Blount tr. G. F. di Conestaggio Hist. Uniting Portugall to Castill 299 There they discharged their choler. a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) v. i. 70 Infected mindes To their deafe pillowes will discharge their Secrets. View more context for this quotation 1709 Ld. Shaftesbury Sensus Communis: Ess. Freedom of Wit 20 'Tis the only manner in which the poor cramp'd Wretches can discharge a free Thought. 1795 T. Macdonald Thoughts on Public Duties Private Life 11 The peevish querulists who procure ease to themselves by discharging their bile upon others. 1814 Belfast Monthly Mag. May 360/1 A capital subject for giving certain writers an opportunity to discharge their spleen and malice. 1831 Fraser's Mag. Nov. 394/2 The deeper is our sorrow or grief..the more willingly would we apply to the readiest medicines for discharging the sorrow or grief from our aching hearts. 1955 G. Gorer Exploring Eng. Char. ii. 17 A psychologist..would probably suspect that the aggression had changed direction, that instead of being manifested in public life, it was being discharged somewhere else. 2002 S. Linden & J. Grut Healing Fields iii. 31 They experience the value of heavy tasks, such as digging the soil, as a means of discharging anger. 12. a. transitive. To empty of a liquid, gas, etc., by causing or allowing it to flow out or pass out. Frequently with of. Frequently reflexive in early use. ΘΚΠ the world > space > place > absence > fact of being unoccupied > leave unoccupied [verb (transitive)] > empty > empty of (something) void13.. empty1526 dischargec1530 exhaust1614 c1530 A. Barclay Egloges sig. Gi^v The hye mountaynnys of water them dyscharge And lade the ryuers with flodes great & large. 1594 Hester's Pearle of Pract. ii. xxvi. 33 The wormes called Centumpedes or Sowes, are of great vertue, to discharge the lungs, that are stuffed with grose fleame. 1686 G. Harvey Conclave of Physicians (ed. 2) ii. ix. 110 The Veins are discharged by Phlebotomy, to give the arterial Blood a free passage. 1702 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 23 1197 That part of the Left Subclavian Vein, where the Thoracick Duct enters it, and discharges itself of its Chyle and Lympha. 1724 W. Stukeley Of Spleen 41 The womb discharges it self of its redundant blood in the menstrua and the lochia, thro' the innumerable gapings of its arteriolæ in its inward tunicle. 1803 H. Dewar Observ. Diarrhoea & Disentery iv. 83 An emetic was exhibited to discharge the stomach of a load of ingesta which it would not transmit downward. 1833 J. Dymock & T. Dymock Bibliotheca Classica 364/2 C. Julius Caesar, and Tib. Claudius Caesar attempted to discharge the lake of Celano into the Tevere. 1879 Amer. Armamentarium Chirurgicum (G. Tiemann & Co.) i. 99 Before attempting to discharge the stomach of its contents a quantity of warm water should be pumped into it. 1912 Americana 19 at Steel—Manufacture of Crucible The furnace..is so constructed that the body can be tilted forward to discharge the bath of metal through an opening. 1991 Res. Jrnl. Water Pollution Control Federation 63 77/1 In anaerobic or aerobic treatment, the idle period (the time after discharging the tank and before filling) can be eliminated. b. transitive. To cause or allow (a liquid, gas, or other substance) to flow or pass out from a place where it has been contained; to emit, release, disgorge; spec. (of an organ, a part of the body, a wound, etc.) to exude (a substance), to secrete or excrete (matter). Also intransitive in the same sense. Also figurative. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > letting or sending out > let or send out [verb (transitive)] outc1390 issue1442 to put forth1540 dischargea1576 the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > letting or sending out > let or send out [verb (transitive)] > emit send971 stretchc1275 casta1300 sheda1325 manda1350 to throw outa1413 yielda1450 devoida1475 render1481 reflair1509 sup out1513 to give out1530 utter1536 spout1568 to give fortha1586 to let fly1590 to put out1614 eject1616 evacuate1622 ejaculate1625 emit1626 fling1637 outsend1647 exert1660 extramit1668 exclude1677 emane1708 extromita1711 evolve1772 emanate1797 discharge1833 exsert1835 to give off1840 a1576 W. Bullein Bk. Simples (new ed.) f. 55, in Bulwarke of Defence (1579) To purge the guttes, heale the Iaundice, and open the galle, and discharge all viscous humours. 1634 T. Johnson tr. A. Paré Chirurg. Wks. xvii. xxvii. 660 After the tooth is drawn, let the blood flow freely, that so the part may be freed from pain, and the matter of the tumor discharged. 1675 in J. A. Picton City of Liverpool: Select. Munic. Rec. (1883) I. 307 Every shipp which shall discharge any shilly or stone ballast southwards of the shilly path in this river shall forfeit ten shillings. 1676 R. Wiseman Severall Chirurg. Treat. iv. vi. 324 The Matter being suppurated, I opened it [sc. an inflamed tubercle] by Incision, and discharged a well-concocted Matter. 1752 Philos. Trans. 1749–50 (Royal Soc.) 46 409 Thereupon she discharged by Stool above four Quarts of well digested Pus. 1776 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 66 433 The wound had discharged a great deal, and was more inflamed. 1833 Act 3 & 4 William IV c. 46 §114 The same [pipes] shall not discharge the water..upon the foot pavements. 1845 M. Pattison in Christian Remembrancer Jan. 73 The shoals of the frivolous and dissipated which this country annually discharges upon the continent. 1870 Baltimore Med. Jrnl. 1 526 On separating edges of opening about two ounces of same fluid as yesterday were discharged. 1904 Engin. Rec. 21 May 363/1 The sewer discharges directly into the Brandywine River. 1956 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 18 Feb. 367/2 Similar clear cells are found in the skin, with the recognized function of discharging mucus. 1971 Economist 12 June 56/2 New techniques for preventing coal and oil..from discharging poisonous fumes into the air. 2010 Dunoon Observer & Argyllshire Standard 17 Sept. 13/1 Between 1904 and 1998 the banana boats discharged some 90 million tons of sewage sludge into the five hundred foot deep waters. c. transitive (reflexive). Of a liquid, gas, etc.: to flow out, escape; spec. (of a river or stream) to flow out into the sea, a lake, etc. Also (now chiefly) intransitive in the same sense. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > liquid > liquid flow > action or process of flowing > flow [verb (transitive)] discharge1600 the world > the earth > water > rivers and streams > action of river > [verb (reflexive)] > disembogue empty1553 shed1555 unburden1578 disburden1600 discharge1600 void1600 dischannel1607 disgorge1607 disengorge1610 enwave1628 expose1632 engulf1634 degorge1635 exhaust1833 the world > the earth > water > rivers and streams > action of river > flow (of river) [verb (intransitive)] > disembogue fallOE disbogue1589 empty1591 to have one's forth1597 disembogue1598 mouth1598 dimit16.. dischannel1607 ingurgitate1632 discharge1816 debouch1834 erupt1864 gurgitate1907 1600 J. Pory tr. J. Leo Africanus Geogr. Hist. Afr. ii. 333 This small river..dischargeth it selfe into the Mediterran sea. 1661 T. Salusbury tr. B. Castellus Mensuration Running Waters i. 3 in Math. Coll. & Transl. I If..we would have such a quantity of Water discharge from the upper tap, as would discharge from the neather in the same time. 1787 J. Ledyard Jrnl. 15 Aug. in Journey through Russia (1966) 151 I shall have [crossed] 37 navigable rivers, every one of which..discharge themselves in the northern Ocean. 1794 S. Williams Nat. & Civil Hist. Vermont 30 Twenty five run westerly and discharge themselves into Lake Champlain. 1816 M. Keating Trav. (1817) II. 42 A deep and rapid river, which discharges at Larache. 1820 W. Scoresby Acct. Arctic Regions I. 338 The chimney..through which the smoke discharges itself. 1842 Encycl. Brit. XII. 25/1 The fluid is then allowed to discharge itself..by drops, and the number of them is counted. 1872 Jrnl. Amer. Geogr. Soc. 3 217 A river, which I followed down to the Gulf of Boothia, where the river discharges itself into a fine bay. 1914 A. Pitot in A. Macmillan Mauritius Illustr. 75 Between Corps de Garde and Rempart Mountains, exists another cut in the general wall, through which a current of molten matter discharged itself at one time. 1934 D. L. Sayers Nine Tailors 177 The tide was on the ebb and the gates partly open, so that a slow trickle ran through them as the Wale water discharged itself sluggishly towards the sea. 1994 SIAM Jrnl. Appl. Math. 54 791 A metal mesh through which the gas discharges directly into the environment. 2008 Limnol. & Oceanogr. 53 1935/1 Affecting the water quality in the river and ultimately the lake where the river discharges. d. intransitive. To ejaculate; to achieve orgasm.In quot. 1683 with punning allusion to sense 8. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > engage in sexual activity [verb (intransitive)] > ejaculate untap1622 spend1662 discharge1683 shoot1879 to get one's nuts offc1932 to get one's rocks off1948 pop1958 spaff1999 1683 tr. F. Pallavicino Whore's Rhetorick i. 77 Such Squires will..remain full well satisfied to get with Foot in Stirrop, one hasty imbrace; and having once discharged, will streightway turn tail, as do the barbarous Moors after the first volley. 1749 J. Cleland Mem. Woman of Pleasure II. 77 His fair partner became now necessary to support him, panting, fainting, and dying as he discharg'd. c1890 My Secret Life V. xv. 304 I kept up the game, putting my prick into both cunts before spending and discharging in each alternately. 1983 R.H. Dastur Sex Power 117 The male can thus utilise this time-lag between orgasm and ejaculation to withdraw his penis from the vagina and discharge outside. 2009 J. Barnes Arthur & George 200 He is fifteen—no, sixteen—stone, fit and energetic; and yesterday he discharged unto his underlinen. 13. Architecture. a. transitive. To relieve the weight or pressure of (an architectural feature) by distributing it over adjacent parts; to relieve (an architectural feature) from the weight of another. Cf. discharging arch n. at discharging adj. Compounds. Now rare.In quot. 1663, intransitive. ΚΠ 1663 G. Richards tr. A. Palladio 1st Bk. Archit. xxxv. 147 It is very secure to turn Arches over Doores and Windowes, which Arches do discharge [Fr. pour seruir de descharge] and hinder that the Doores and Windowes be not pressed with too much weight. ?1677 S. Primatt City & Covntry Purchaser & Builder 82 One Lintal to discharge the two windows and Balcony-door. 1679 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. viii. 142 Put a Girder between to Discharge the Length of the Joysts. c1720 N. Dubois & G. Leoni tr. A. Palladio Architecture II. vi. 12 The arch'd cielings..are made of cane, to discharge the walls. ?1785 Langley's Builder's Compl. Assist. (ed. 4) I. 152 If..there be discharging Struts framed into the Beams and Prick Posts..they will discharge the principal Rafters from the greatest Part of the whole Weight. 1842 W. T. Brande Dict. Sci., Lit. & Art 349/2 [Arches] used in any wall over a lintel to discharge the lintel of the weight which would be otherwise borne by it. 1935 E. E. Herzfeld Archaeol. Hist. Iran i. 15 The back wall of the portico has..cornices in two lines. Its door has a gable discharging the lintel. b. transitive. To spread or redistribute (a weight) in this way; to relieve (pressure) from an architectural feature. ΚΠ a1723 Sir C. Wren in L. Milman Sir Christopher Wren (1908) xi. 144 The Arch discharges the weight. 1734 Builder's Dict. I. Suppl. at BR So do the Braces m m discharge the whole Weight. 1806 G. Tappen Professional Observ. Archit. 183 The rough arches..were to all appearance introduced for the purpose of discharging the weight from the internal recesses. 1879 Cassell's Techn. Educator iii. 195/2 The arch..not only supports the wall above, but ‘discharges’ the weight over the walls on each side. 1907 Amer. Jrnl. Archaeol. 11 6 The arch over the doorway is a common expedient..for discharging the pressure from the flat lintel. 1997 Perspecta 28 150/1 The i-beam itself expresses..this relationship..discharging the weight of the belvedere. 14. a. transitive. To release or neutralize (electric charge), or the electric charge of (an object). ΘΚΠ the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > discharge of electricity > discharge [verb (transitive)] discharge1673 1673 R. Boyle Of Great Efficacy iv. 18 in Ess. Effluviums Attrition..I conceive makes a reciprocal motion amongst the more stable parts, and does thereby as 'twere discharge and shoot out the attracting Corpuscles. 1749 B. Franklin Let. 29 Apr. in Exper. & Observ. Electr. (1751) 22 The bottle being thereby discharged, the man would be charged. 1777 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 67 88 All this part of the electrical matter seems to have been then discharged by the different conductors of the two flukes and the main shank of the anchor. 1800 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 90 105 If the bottle be dry, it will..be discharged spontaneously. 1869 Sci. Opinion 10 Feb. 270/3 Charging and discharging portions of the same palladium wire repeatedly. 1896 Proc. Royal Soc. 1895–6 59 274 The Röntgen rays, when they fall upon electrified bodies, rapidly discharge the electrification. 1949 Pop. Mech. Sept. 140/2 The make-and-break effect of these sparking electrodes charges and discharges the high-capacity condenser into the 10-turn primary of the resonator. 1978 Nature 5 Oct. 374/2 At each pixel, the read beam is pulsed on and discharges the target, giving rise to an output video pulse. 2011 D. Sterratt et al. Princ. Computational Modelling Neuroscience ii. 30 All the current passing through the membrane either charges or discharges the membrane capacitance. b. transitive. To cause (a cell, battery, capacitor, etc.) to convert stored chemical energy to electrical energy; to reduce the electric charge of. ΚΠ 1773 J. B. Becket Ess. on Electr. ii. v. 115 I discharged a battery of thirty eight square feet of coated glass, through the head, and out at the tail of a full grown Cat. 1807 T. Young Course Lect. Nat. Philos. I. liv. 683 They separate and form a circuit which discharges a battery; whence the instrument is called a discharger. 1889 G. M. Hopkins Exper. Sci. (1893) xviii.421 The battery is again discharged through the resistance, and again recharged in a reverse direction. 1936 N. Feather Introd. Nucl. Physics i. 27 It consists essentially in charging up a battery of condensers in parallel to a low voltage and discharging them in series. 2012 Lifehacker (Nexis) 19 May This particular myth that you should fully discharge your battery every time you use it is left over from old nickel cadmium batteries. c. intransitive and transitive (reflexive). Of electricity or electric charge: to leave or escape from a charged object. ΚΠ 1826 J. Farrar tr. J. B. Biot Elem. Electr. 188 The manner in which electricity discharges itself through bodies of different kinds. 1874 Jrnl. Mental Sci. 19 378 Electricity is accumulated on the surface of the glass plate, and..it discharges or explodes in the same manner as electricity discharges from an electrophorus or a Leyden jar. 1904 A. O. Evans Mod. Vampirism 53 Just as electricity discharges itself from angles and points, so in the human body. 2004 Ambix 51 38 Sulphur is in fact an excellent insulator, and static electricity accumulated on it discharges in electrical sparks towards proximate objects. d. intransitive. Of a charged object: to release or lose electric charge; esp. (of a battery) to convert stored chemical energy to electric energy; to produce a current and thereby lose some of its stored energy. ΚΠ 1837 J. Coldstream in Todd's Cycl. Anat. & Physiol. II. 83/1 The torpedo [sc. the fish] sometimes bears great irritation..without discharging. 1893 Electr. Engineer 13 Nov. 431/1 Since the generator works at a uniform speed..the battery discharges when more power is required on the line, and is charged when less power is required. 1924 A. J. Allmand & H. J. T. Ellingham Princ. Appl. Electrochem. (ed. 2) iv. 47 Let the cell..be placed in a calorimeter..and allow it to discharge through an external circuit consisting of a suitable coil of wire in a second calorimeter. 1964 B. V. Rollin Introd. Electronics xiv. 176 At the end of the sweep a voltage pulse restores the bistable to its original state so that the capacitor rapidly discharges through the preceding triode. 1976 Pop. Sci. Mar. 88/2 A constant load on your battery—when there shouldn't be—causing it to discharge slowly. 2005 T. Martin How to diagnose & repair Automotive Electr. Syst. 61/1 When a battery discharges, the ratio of sulfuric acid to water in the electrolytic solution changes to mostly water. 15. a. transitive. To remove from a fabric, article, etc., (the dye or colour with which it has been charged); to cause (a colour) to disappear. Also: to print (a fabric, article, etc.) with a pattern by selectively removing parts of the ground colour. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > colour > colouring > dyeing > dye [verb (transitive)] > remove dye mealy1667 discharge1727 run1850 strip1896 1727 A. Pope et al. Περι Βαθους: Art of Sinking 39 in J. Swift et al. Misc.: Last Vol. Take off the Gloss, or quite discharge the Colour. 1763 C. Churchill Epist. to W. Hogarth 21 Wash the Ethiop white, Discharge the leopard's spots. 1789 Crit. Rev. 68 547 He draws the shape of the flower in its natural colour, discharges the colour from the petals by spirits of wine, and applies the discoloured petals to the drawing. 1801 M. Edgeworth Forester in Moral Tales I. 184 The colours had been discharged by some acid. 1853 Nicholson's Operative Mechanic (ed. 4) 407 For the purpose of discharging the colour out of the unsteeped flax or hemp. 1875 R. Hunt & F. W. Rudler Ure's Dict. Arts (ed. 7) I. 288 224 handkerchiefs are discharged every ten minutes. 1907 G. M. Norman Systematic Pract. Org. Chem. i. vi. 23 Dissolving a little fuchsine in water, and adding a solution of sulphurous acid drop by drop till the colour is just discharged. 1915 Textile Amer. June 14/3 Some dyed silk warps can be discharged by tin salt instead of zinc dust. 1940 Thorpe's Dict. Appl. Chem. (ed. 4) IV. 185/1 Innumerable colour effects can be obtained by discharging substantive cotton dyeings. 1972 E. C. Gallagher in G. G. Sward Paint Testing Man. ii. 69/1 Amylene is now added until the bromine color is discharged (about 5 to 6 drops). 2008 R. Gillman Create your own Hand-printed Cloth vi. 63/1 By experimenting, you can discharge some areas of the fabric more than others. b. intransitive. Of a colour, dye, ink, etc.: to become faded or washed; (also) to change in a specified way when discharged. ΚΠ 1795 J. Wallace Gen. & Descriptive Hist. Liverpool iv. 85 The stone..is of a yellow cast in its first state, but the colour discharges by time, and finally has a very good appearance. 1902 C. T. C. Salter tr. G. von Georgievics Chem. Technol. Textile Fibres v. 280 Most of the azo dyes discharge well, though here, as in the direct dyes on cotton, there exist difficulties that have not yet been overcome. 1978 J. Lambert & M. J. Mohammed Comprehensive Qualitative Anal. Adv. Level Chem. iii. 45 Red colouration from neutral solutions; colour discharges with dilute HCl. 2004 R. Issett Colour on Cloth vii. 114 Certain pure Procion MX colours discharge very adequately,..whereas blues, greens and turquoise tend to discharge to a paler version of the original colour. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2013; most recently modified version published online June 2022). < n.c1390v.c1384
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