discriminant

[Lat. disc rim in ans, pr. par. of disc rim i no.] Math.: The eliminant of then partial differentials of any homogeneous function of n variables. [ELIMINANT.] dis-crim-in-āte, v . t . & i. [Lat. disc rim in at us, pa. par. of disc rim i no =to separate, to distinguish, from dis crimen (gen it. dis criminis )=a separation, a mark of distinction: dis away, apart, and cerno =to separate, to decide.] [DISCERN.] A. Transitive : 1437