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Webster 1913 Edition


Discovery

Dis-cov′er-y

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Discoveries
.
1.
The action of discovering; exposure to view; laying open; showing;
as, the
discovery
of a plot
.
2.
A making known; revelation; disclosure;
as, a bankrupt is bound to make a full
discovery
of his assets
.
In the clear
discoveries
of the next [world].
South.
3.
Finding out or ascertaining something previously unknown or unrecognized;
as, Harvey’s
discovery
of the circulation of the blood
.
A brilliant career of
discovery
and conquest.
Prescott.
We speak of the “invention” of printing, the
discovery
of America.
Trench.
4.
That which is discovered; a thing found out, or for the first time ascertained or recognized;
as, the properties of the magnet were an important
discovery
.
5.
Exploration; examination.
[Obs.]

Webster 1828 Edition


Discovery

DISCOVERY

,
Noun.
1.
The action of disclosing to view, or bringing to light; as, by the discovery of a plot, the public peace is preserved.
2.
Disclosure; a making known; as, a bankrupt is bound to make a full discovery of his estate and effects.
3.
The action of finding something hidden; as the discovery of lead or silver in the earth.
4.
The act of finding out, or coming to the knowledge of; as the discovery of truth; the discovery of magnetism.
5.
The act of espying; first sight of; as the discovery of America by Columbus, or of the Continent by Cabot.
6.
That which is discovered, found out or revealed; that which is first brought to light, seen or known. The properties of the magnet were an important discovery. Redemption from sin was a discovery beyond the power of human philosophy.
7.
In dramatic poetry, the unraveling of a plot, or the manner of unfolding the plot or fable of a comedy or tragedy.

Definition 2024


discovery

discovery

English

Noun

discovery (countable and uncountable, plural discoveries)

  1. Something discovered.
    This latest discovery should eventually lead to much better treatments for disease.
  2. (uncountable) The discovering of new things.
    The purpose of the voyage was discovery.
    automatic discovery of RSS feeds by a Web browser
  3. (countable, archaic) An act of uncovering or revealing something; a revelation.
    • 1822, Alain René Le Sage, The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane
      Don Huberto actually fell in love with his kinswoman, and had presumption enough to declare his passion [] The lady being a woman of discretion, instead of making a discovery, which might have been attended with melancholy consequences, reprimanded her relation with gentleness []
  4. (law, uncountable) A pre-trial phase in which evidence is gathered.
    The prosecution moved to suppress certain items turned up during discovery.
  5. (law, uncountable) Materials revealed to the opposing party during the pre-trial phase in which evidence is gathered.
    The defense argued that the plaintiff's discovery was inadequate.

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