Discontinue is a 4-syllable word with the IPA phonetic transcription of /dɪsˈkɒn.tɪ.njuː/. The first syllable is pronounced as "dis," with a short "i" sound. The second syllable is pronounced as "con" with a stress on the second syllable. The third syllable is pronounced as "ti" with a short "i" sound, and the fourth syllable is pronounced as "nu" with a long "u" sound. The word discontinue means to cease or stop something, like a product or service that is no longer available.
Discontinue is a verb that refers to the act of ceasing or stopping something. It involves bringing an activity, process, or product to an end, or terminating its existence, operation, or production. Discontinue can be used in various contexts, encompassing different aspects of life and activities.
In the business domain, discontinue commonly refers to the act of stopping the manufacture, sale, or distribution of a particular product or service. This could be due to various reasons, such as declining demand, unprofitability, or changes in market trends or regulations. Discontinuation could also involve the closure of a specific department, branch, or business altogether.
In the context of medical treatment, discontinue means to halt or withdraw the use of a particular medication, therapy, or intervention. This may be done in response to patient preferences, adverse effects, ineffectiveness, or the completion of a prescribed course.
In a legal setting, discontinue pertains to the decision to halt or withdraw a legal proceeding, lawsuit, or legal action. This could occur due to settled terms, lack of evidence, reconciliation between parties, or changes in priorities.
Overall, discontinue signifies the deliberate action of stopping, ceasing, or terminating an activity, process, product, or operation, either permanently or temporarily. Its usage encompasses multiple domains, emphasizing the act of bringing an end to a particular aspect of human endeavors.
To leave off; to cause to cease; to abandon; to break off; to cease.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "discontinue" can be broken down into two parts: "dis-" and "continue".
The prefix "dis-" typically indicates negation, opposite, or removal. It comes from the Old French prefix "des-", which was derived from Latin "dis-" meaning "apart" or "asunder".
The word "continue" originated in the late 14th century and derives from Old French "continuer" which is directly from Latin "continuare", meaning "to connect, join together, unite", derived from "continuus" meaning "uninterrupted, continuous".
Therefore, the etymology of "discontinue" suggests that it means to "not continue" or "stop the continuous flow or progress of something".