discover
discover
Pronunciation
discover /dɪˈskʌvər/
di-: /dɪ/ - /d/ (voiced alveolar plosive), /ɪ/ (near-close near-front unrounded vowel)
-scov-: /ˈskʌv/ - /s/ (voiceless alveolar fricative), /k/ (voiceless velar plosive), /ʌ/ (near-open central unrounded vowel), /v/ (voiced labiodental fricative)
-er: /ər/ - /ər/ (r-colored schwa)
Word Form Variations
Verb:
Base form: discover
Third-person singular present: discovers
Present participle: discovering
Past tense: discovered
Past participle: discovered
Noun:
discoverer (singular)
discoverers (plural)
discovery (singular - referring to the act or result of discovering)
discoveries (plural - referring to the acts or results of discovering)
Adjective:
discoverable
Adverb:
discoverably
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
Definition 1: To find or become aware of something for the first time, especially something that was previously hidden, unknown, or not recognized.
Synonyms: ascertain, detect, find, unearth, uncover, reveal
Antonyms: conceal, hide, overlook, miss
Definition 2: To be the first to find, see, or learn about a new place, thing, or principle. This often implies an act of exploration or research.
Synonyms: explore, pioneer, invent, originate
Antonyms: ignore, disregard, retrace
Noun
Definition 1 (discoverer): A person who is the first to find, see, or learn about something, especially a new place, thing, or principle.
Synonyms: explorer, pioneer, inventor, trailblazer
Antonyms: follower, imitator
Definition 2 (discovery): The act or process of finding or becoming aware of something for the first time.
Synonyms: revelation, finding, uncovering, detection
Antonyms: concealment, suppression
Definition 3 (discovery): Something that has been found or learned for the first time, often having significant implications.
Synonyms: breakthrough, finding, invention, innovation
Antonyms: mystery (in the sense of something still unknown), existing knowledge
Examples of Use
Books:
"As a child, I always loved to discover new hiding places in the garden, each one a tiny world unto itself." (General fiction example)
"Marie Curie continued her groundbreaking work, ultimately leading her to discover two new elements: polonium and radium." (Biographical/historical context)
Newspapers:
"Scientists discover new deep-sea vent species off the coast of New Zealand." (Associated Press)
"Local artist hopes to discover inspiration for her next exhibition during her travels abroad." (Community newspaper)
Online Publications:
"Five incredible hacks to help you discover your true passion and purpose." (Lifehacker.com)
"Researchers from Stanford University announce they have discovered a novel method for more efficient data encryption." (TechCrunch.com)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
"In the latest episode, the detective tries to discover the motive behind the mysterious disappearance." (Television crime drama synopsis)
"Players must explore ancient ruins to discover hidden artifacts and unravel the game's central mystery." (Video game description)
"New Spotify playlist helps you discover emerging indie artists from around the globe." (Music streaming platform promotion, December 2024)
General Public Discourse:
"I just moved to a new city and I'm really excited to discover all the best local restaurants."
"During my gap year, I hope to discover more about myself and what I truly want to do."
"Did you discover anything interesting at the antique market today?"
10 Quotes Using Discover
"The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude." (Oprah Winfrey)
"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." (Marcel Proust)
"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." (Henry David Thoreau)
"To discover new lands, one must be willing to lose sight of the shore for a very long time." (André Gide)
"Man can discover new oceans but he cannot discover new pleasures." (G.K. Chesterton)
"The best way to discover yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." (Mahatma Gandhi)
"We can only discover the limits of the possible by going beyond them into the impossible." (Arthur C. Clarke)
"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery each day." (Albert Einstein) - This famous quote does not use "discover."
"You cannot discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore." (Andre Gide)
"A voyage of discovery is not about seeking new landscapes but about having new eyes." (Marcel Proust)
Etymology
The word "discover" has a fascinating journey through language!
At its heart, "discover" is about uncovering something. It comes from a combination of older words. Let's break it down:
It started in Middle English around the 14th century, from the Old French word "descovrir." This French word itself came from Late Latin "discooperīre."
Now, "discooperīre" is the key. It's made of two parts:
"dis-": This is a Latin prefix that often means "opposite of" or "apart." Think of "dislike" (opposite of like) or "disconnect" (apart from connected).
"cooperire": This is a Latin word meaning "to cover up" or "to cover over." It's related to our modern English word "cover."
So, literally, "discover" meant "to un-cover" or "to remove the cover from."
First Known Use and Meaning:
When "discover" first appeared in Middle English (around 1300-1350), its initial meaning was very much about divulging, revealing, disclosing, or exposing something to view. Imagine physically taking a cover off something to show what's beneath. It could even be used in a negative sense, like betraying someone's secrets – essentially "uncovering" them.
Over time, the meaning evolved to the main sense we use today: to find or obtain knowledge or sight of something for the first time that was previously unknown or unseen. This shift in meaning, from simply "uncovering" to "being the first to find something unknown," became prominent by the mid-1500s.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Discover
Discover oneself/yourself: To learn about one's own character, abilities, or true nature.
Discover new ground: To find new areas of knowledge or experience.
To one's discovery: (Lesser-known, but implies something found surprisingly) As in, "To his great discovery, the ancient map led to a hidden spring."
Discover a knack for something: To find that one has a natural talent or ability for a particular activity.
Discover the truth: To find out what really happened or what is factual.
Discover a hidden gem: To find something valuable or delightful that was previously unknown or overlooked.
Discover the hard way: To learn something unpleasant or difficult through personal experience, often after making a mistake.
Make a discovery: (Common phrase, noun form of discover) To find something new or important.
Uncover a secret: (Using a synonym) To reveal something that was hidden or unknown.
Strike gold: (Idiom, implies a discovery of something valuable) To find something very profitable or successful.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of discover from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
