discontinuation

[Pref. dis, and Eng. continuation (q. v.).] A breach, disruption, or solution of continuity of parts. "Upon any discontinuation of parts, made either by bubbles or by shaking the gla , the whole mercury falls."- Newton : Optics. dis-con-tin-ue, v. t. & i. [Fr. discontinuer.] A. Transitive: I. Ordinary Language : 1. To break off, to interrupt, to break the continuity of. "They modify and discriminate the voice, without appearing to discontinue it."- Holder : Elements of Speech. 2. To leave off, to cease as a practice or habit, to forbear. "To discontinue an exertion of those abilities by which he rose."-Goldsmith: On Polite Learning , ch. viii. receive. 3. To cease to use, to disuse, to cease to take or "Men shall swear, I have discontinued school Above a twelvemonth." Shakesp.: Merchant of Venice , iii. 4. 4. Not to continue or carry on, to give up, to allow to stop; as, to discontinue a suit. II. Law: [DISCONTINUANCE, II.] B. Intransitive: *1. To lose cohesion or continuity of parts; to suffer disruption or separation. "So as not to discontinue or forsake their own body." Bacon . IMG:content-0051.png:[blocks in formation] 1433 I. Ordinary Language: discount dis-cord-ant-lý, adv. [Eng. discordant; -ly.] "Though concord is in itself better than discord , discord may indicate a better state of things."-Macaulay: Hist . Eng ., ch. viii. 2. Disagreement or contention personified. "Discord, dire sister of the slaughtering power." Pope: Homer's Iliad , iv. 502. 3. A disagreement or opposition in quality, espe to discontinuance.