Let us consider whether our approaches to him are sweet and refreshing, and if we are uneasy under any long discontinuance of our conversation with him. Atterbury.

Upon any discontinuation of parts, made either by bubbles, or by shaking the glass, the whole mercury falls. Newton.

That discontinuity of parts is the principal cause of the opacity of bodies, will appear by considering that opaque substances become transparent by filling their pores with any substance of equal, or almost equal, density with their parts. Id.

The effect of discontinuance of possession is, that a man may not enter upon his own land or tenement alienated, whatsoever his right be unto it, or by his own authority; but must seek to recover possession by law. The effect of discontinuance of plea is, that the instance may not be taken up again, but by a new writ to begin the suit afresh.

DISCONVENIENCE, n. s.

Cowell.

Dis and convenience. Incongruity; disagreement; opposi

tion.

Fear ariseth many times out of natural antipathies of nature; but, in these disconveniencies of nature, deliberation hath no place at all.

Bramhall's Answer to Hobbes.

DIS'CORD, v. n. & n. s. Fr. discord; Sp. DISCORDANCE, n. s. Ital. and Lat. disDISCORDANCY, cordia; from dis DISCOR'DANT, adj. and cors, cordis, DISCOR'DANTLY, adv. the heart; an adverse heart. To disagree; not to accord with. As a substantive, disagreement; opposition; jangling; contrariety of, or ill agreement between, sounds. Discordance and discordancy both seem synonymous with discord.

These things doth the Lord hate, the false witness hat speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among

brethren.

Proverbs.

See what a scourge is laid upon your hate, That heaven finds means to kill your joys with love! And I, for winking at your discords too, Have lost a brace of kinsmen.

Shakspeare. Romeo and Juliet.

It is sound alone that doth immediately and incorporeally affect most; this is most manifest in music, and concords and discords in music: for all sounds, whether they be sharp or flat, if they be sweet, have a roundness and equality; and if they be harsh, are unequal: for a discord itself is but a harshness of divers sounds meeting.

Bacon.

This is the slowest, yet the daintiest sense; For even the ears of such as have no skill Perceive a discord, and conceive offence; And knowing not what's good, yet find the ill. Davies.

How doth music amaze us, when of discords she maketh the sweetest harmony! Peacham.

Hither conscience is to be referred; if by a comparison of things done with the rule there be a consonancy, then follows the sentence of approbation; if discordant from it, the sentence of condemnation. Hale's Origin of Mankind. Two strings of a musical instrument being struck together, making two noises that arrive at the ear at the same time as to sense, yield a sound differing from either of them, and as it were compounded of both; insomuch, that if they be discordantly tuned, though each of them struck apart would yield a pleas

ing sound, yet being struck together they make a
harsh and troublesome noise. Boyle on Colours.
Discord, like that of music's various parts,
Discord that makes the harmony of hearts;
Discord that only this dispute shall bring,
Who best shall love the duke and serve the king.
Dryden.

All nature is but art unknown to thee;
All chance, direction which thou canst not see;
All discord, harmony not understood ;
All partial evil, universal good.

chord

Pope.

DISCORD, in music, every sound which, joined with another, forms an assemblage disagreeable to the ear; or, rather, every interval whose extremes do not coalesce. Now, as there are no other concords, or consonances, except those which form amongst themselves, and with their fundamental sound, perfect chords, it follows that every other interval must be a real dissonance or discord: even the third and sixth were reckoned such among the ancients, who excluded them from the number of consonant chords. The term dissonance, which is synonymous with discord both in a literal and metaphorical sense, signifies disagreement or disunion. In reality, that which renders dissonances grating is, that the sounds which form them, far from uniting in the ear, seem to repel each other, and are heard each by itself as two distinct sounds though produced at the same time. This repulsion or violent oscillation of sounds is heard more or less as the vibrations which produce it are more or less frequently coincident. When two vocal strings are gradually tuned, till they approach a consonant interval, the pulsations become slower as the grows more just, till at last they are scarcely heard, if heard at all; whence it appears certain that the pleasure, produced in us by harmony, results from the more or less exact and frequent coincidence of vibrations; though the reason why this coincidence should give pleasure, more than any other modification or combination of sounds, appears to us inscrutable. The agreeable effects of dissonance, in harmony, are no objection to this theory: since it is allowed that the sensations excited by discord are not in themselves immediately and necessarily pleasing, but only please by auricular deception. The ear is surprised with the shock it receives; and, in proportion as it is harsh and grating, we feel the pleasure of returning harmony enhanced, and the disappointment of being artfully and insensibly extricated more agreeable. The name of dissonance is given sometimes to the interval, and sometimes to each of the sounds which form it. But, though two sounds equally form a dissonance between themselves, the name is most frequently given to that sound in particular which is most extraneous to the chord. The number of possible dissonances is indefinite; but as in music we exclude all intervals which are not found in the system received, the number of dissonances is reduced to a very few besides, ir practice, we can only select from those few such as are agreeable to the species, and the mode, in which we compose; and from this last number we must exclude such as cannot be used consistently with the rules prescribed. But what are these rules? Have they any foundation in nature

:

light; make plain or visible. He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow of death.

Job xii. 22.
When we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the
Acts.
'eft hand.

Let that man with better sense advise,
That of the world least part to us is read;
And daily how through hardy enterprize
Many great regions are discovered.

Spenser. Faerie Queene.

The utter waulls of it yet stond. The kepe is exceaing fair and strong; and in the waulles be certein strong towers. The lodgings that were within the

area of the castelle be discovered and faul to ruine.
Leland.
Here stand my lords, and send discoverers forth,
To know the numbers of our enemies. Shakspeare.
What, must I hold a candle to my shame?
They in themselves, good sooth, are too, too light.
Why 'tis an office of discovery, love,
And I should be obscured. Id. Merchant of Venice.
Some high climbing hill,

Which to his eye discovers unaware
The goodly prospect of some foreign land,
First seen, or some renowned metropolis
With glistering spires and battlements adorned.

Milton.

Of all who since have used the open sea, Than the bold English none more fame have won; Beyond the year, and out of heaven's high way, They make discoveries where they see no sun.

Dryden. Things that appeared amiable by the light of this world, appear of a different odious hue in the clear discoveries of the next. South.

An old maiden gentlewoman is the greatest discoverer of judgments; she can tell you what sin it was that set such a man's house on fire.

Addison's Spectator. It is concluded by astronomers, that the atmosphere of the moon hath no clouds nor rains, but a perpetual and uniform serenity; because nothing discoverable in the lunar surface is ever covered and absconded by the interposition of any clouds or mists. Bentley.

Places receive appellations, according to the language of the discoverer, from observations made upon the people. Broome.

Revelation may assert two things to be joined, whose connection or agreement is not discoverable by Watts.

reason.

DISCOUNT, in commerce, a term among traders, merchants, and bankers. It is used by the two former on occasion of their buying commodities on the usual time of credit, with a condition that the seller shall allow the buyer a certain discount, at the rate of so much per cent. per annum, for the time for which the credit is generally given, upon condition that the buyer pays ready money for such commodities, instead of taking the time of credit. Traders and merchants also frequently taking promissory notes for moneys due, payable to them or order at a certain time, and sometimes having occasion for money before the time is elapsed, procure these notes to be discounted by bankers before the time of payment. Bills of exchange are also discounted by bankers; and in this consists one article of the profits of banking. See BANK.

DISCOUNTENANCE, v. a. & From dis DISCOUNTENANCER, n. s. [n. s. ) and countenance. To discourage by cold treatment: one who discourages.

Rumours of scandal and murmurs against the king and his government, taxed him for a great taxer of his people, and discountenancer of his nobility. Bacon.

He thought a little discountenance upon those perClarendon. sons would suppress that spirit.

He came, and with him Eve, more loth, tho' first To offend; discountenanced both, and discomposed.

Milton.

He made me visits, maundering as if I had done him a discourtesy. Wiseman. He resolved to unhorse the first discourteous knight he should meet. Motteur's Don Quixote.

DIS'COUS, adj. From Lat. discus. Broad; flat; wide. Used by botanists to denote the middle, plain, and flat part of some flowers, such as the flos solis, &c.

DISCREDIT, v. a. & n. s. Fr. décrediter. To deprive of credibility; to make not trusted; to disgrace; distrust: as a substantive, reproach; disgrace; lower degree of infamy; imputation of fault; ignominy.

He, like a privileged spy, whom nothing can Discredit, libels now 'gainst each great man. Donne.

You had left unseen a wonderful piece of work, which not to have been blest withal, would have discredited you. Shakspeare. Had I been the finder out of this secret, it would not have relished among my other discredits.

Shakspeare.

Idlers will ever live like rogues, and not fall to work, but be lazy, and then certify over their country to the discredit of a plantation. Bacon.

He is commended that makes a saving voyage, and least discredits his travels, who returns the same man he went. Wotton.

'Tis the duty of every Christian to be concerned for the reputation or discredit his life may bring on his profession. Rogers.

Alas, the small discredit of a bribe
Scarce hurts the lawyer, but undoes the scribe.

Pope.

More than you doubt the charge of 't. Shakspeare.

It is not good that children should know any

wicked

Discretive propositions are such wherein various, and seemingly opposite, judgments are made, whose variety or distinction is noted by the particles but, though, yet, &c. as, travellers may change their climate, but not their temper; Job was patient, though his grief was great. Watts.

DISCRETE, OF DISJUNCT, PROPORTION is that in which the ratio between two or more pairs of numbers is the same, and yet the proportion is not continued, as the ratio between 3:6 is the same as that between 8: 16, and therefore the numbers are proportional; but it is only dis

The labour of obedience, loyalty, and subjection, is no more but for a man honestly and discreetly to sit still. South.

The major being a person of consummate experience, was invested with a discretionary power. Tatler.

It is the discreet man, not the witty, nor the learned, nor the brave, who guides the conversation, and gives measures to society. Addison's Spectator.

There is no talent so useful towards rising in the world, or which puts men more cut of the reach of fortune, than discretion, a species of lower prudence. Swift.

The dullest brain, if gently stirred,
Perhaps may waken to a humming bird;
The most recluse, discreetly opened, find
Congenial object in the cockle kind.

Pope's Dunciad.

Diversity of education, and discrepancy of those principles where with men are at first imbued, and wherein all our after reasonings are founded. Lord Digby to K. Digby. DISCRETE, v. a. & adj. Lat. discretus. DISCRETIVE, adj To separate; to discontinue; distinct; disjoined. For discretive, see the instance.

As for its diaphaneity, it enjoyeth that most eminently; as having its earthly and salinous parts so exactly resolved, that its body is left imporous, and not discreted by atomical terminations. Browne.

Discrete quantity, or different individuals, are measured by number without any breaking continuity; that is, in things that have continuity, as continued quantity and motion. Hale's Origin of Mankind.

Gr. dig and κρίνω, to judge. To mark a difference; disAs an

separate.

tinguished by tokens; select; adjective, distinguished by marks. Discriminable is distinguishable. Discriminous is an obsolete word for critical, hazardous.

Oysters and cockles and muscles, which move not, have no discriminate sex. Bacon. Take heed of abetting any factions, or applying any publick discriminations in matters of religion. King Charles. There are three sorts of it differing in fineness from each other, and discriminated by the natives by three peculiar names. Boyle. Discriminative Providence knew before the nature and course of all things.

More's Antidote against Atheism. There may be ways of discriminating the voice; as by acuteness and gravity, the several degrees of raising and falling from one tone or note to another.

Holder. Any kind of spitting of blood imports a very discriminous state, unless it happens upon the gaping of a vein opened by a plethory. Harvey.

There is a reverence to be shewed them on the account of their discrimination from other places, and separation for sacred uses. Stilling fleet.

The right hand is discriminated from the left by a natural, necessary, and never to be confounded disSouth. tinction.

The only standing test and discriminative characteristick of any metal or mineral, must be sought for in the constituent matter of it. Woodward.

By that prudent discrimination made between the offenders of different degrees, he obliges those whom he has distinguished as objects of mercy. Addison.

DIS'CROWN, v. a. From dis and crown. To deprive of a crown.

Through storm and darkness yawns the rending ground,

The gulf is thick with phantoms, but the chief Seems royal still, though with her head discrowned, And pale, but lovely, with maternal grief

She clasps a babe, to whom her breast yields no relief. Byron.

DISCU'BITORY, adj. Lat. discubitorius. Fitted to the posture of leaning.

After bathing they retired to bed, and refreshed themselves with a repast; and so that custom, by degrees, changed their cubiculary beds into discubitory. Browne's Vulgar Errours.

DISCUM BENCY, n.s. Lat. discumbens. The act of leaning at meat, after the ancient manner. See ACCUBATION.

The Greeks and Romans used the custom of discumbency at meals, which was upon their left side; for so their right hand was free and ready for all service. Browne's Vulgar Errours. DISCUM'BER, v. a. Dis and cumber. To disengage from any troublesome weight; to disengage from impediment.

His limbs discumbered of the clinging vest, He binds the sacred cincture round his breast,

Hale's Origin of Mankind.

ther.

Id.

DISCUSS', v. a. DISCUS'SER, n. s.

His usage was to commit the discussing of causes privately to certain persons learned in the laws. Ayliffe's Parergon.

If by the liberty of the press, we understand merely the liberty of discussing the propriety of public measures and political opinions, let us have as much of Franklin. it as you please.

DISCUTIENT, n. s. Lat. discutiens. A medicine that has power to repel or drive back the matter of tumors in the blood. It sometimes means the same as carminative.

The swellings arising from these require to be treated, in their beginning, with moderate repellents Wiseman. and discutients.

DISCUTIENTS, in surgery, are such external remedies as, by their subtilty, dissolve or disperse a stagnating or coagulated fluid in any part of the body.

DISDAIN', v.a., v. n. & n. s.
DISDAIN FUL, adj.
DISDAIN FULLY, adv.

DISDAINFULNESS, n. s.

Fr. dedaigner;

Sp. desdignar;

Lat. dedignari;

(de privative,

and dignor.) To esteem unworthy. As an active verb it signifies to scorn: as a substantive, contempt; scorn; indignation united with contempt. Disdainfulness is synonymous with

disdain.

His angry steede did chide his foaming bitt, As much disdayning to the curbe to yield: Full jolly knight he seemed 'and faire did sitt, As one for knightly giusts and fierce encounters fitt. Spenser. Faerie Queene.

There will come a time when three words, uttered with charity and meekness, shall receive a far more blessed reward, than three thousand volumes, written Hooker. with disdainful sharpness of wit.

The queen is obstinate,
Stubborn to justice, apt to' accuse it,
Disdainful to be tried by 't.

Either greet him not,