Webster's English Dictionary

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discover

Cross references:
  1. invent                 2. reveal                
 
dis.cov.er \dis-'k*v-*r\ \-'k*v-(*-)rin\ \-(*-)r*-b*l\ \-*r-*r\ vb or 
   dis.cov.er.ing [ME discoveren, fr. OF descovrir, fr. LL discooperire, fr. 
   L]dis- + cooperire to cover - more at COVER 1a: to make known or visible  
   archaic  1b: DISPLAY  2: to obtain sight or knowledge of for the first time 
   : FIND  : to make a discovery COVER presupposes exploration, investigation, 
   or chance encounter and always implies the previous existence of what 
   becomes known; ASCERTAIN implies effort to find the facts or the truth 
   proceeding from awareness of ignorance or uncertainty; DETERMINE emphasizes 
   the intent to establish the facts definitely or precisely; UNEARTH implies 
   bringing to light something forgotten or hidden; LEARN may imply acquiring 
   knowledge with little effort or conscious intention (as by simply being 
   told); it may imply study and practice, but usu. does not stress active 
   search - dis.cov.er.able aj SYN syn ASCERTAIN, DETERMINE, UNEARTH, LEARN: 
   DIS