Reading Theme:
Discard Definition: Throw Away or Abandon (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：throw away (discard)
discard
/dɪˈskɑːrd/
vt.
to throw something away because you don't want or need it anymore.
throw away
➕
/θroʊ əˈweɪ/
vt.
To get rid of something because it is no longer useful or wanted.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
Prefix 'dis-' (away) + root 'card' (playing card) → to cast away as useless.
💡 Mnemonic
Imagine playing cards; your worst card is 'dis + card'—you throw it away to improve your hand.
📖 Example
Before moving to a new apartment, I decided to discard all the clothes I hadn't worn in over a year.
Before moving to a new apartment, I decided to throw away all the clothes I hadn't worn in over a year.
🔗 Collocations
discard old files – to throw away old documents or digital files
discard packaging – to remove and dispose of wrapping material
discard a habit – to stop a routine behavior
🔄 Synonyms
dispose of (vt.) – to get rid of something by throwing away or dealing with it appropriately
jettison (vt.) – to deliberately drop or get rid of something that is not wanted
toss out (vt.) – to casually throw something away, often into a trash bin
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
discardable (adj.) – able to be thrown away or disposed of
discarder (n.) – a person who discards things
📖 Cultural Story
From Middle French 'descarter', literally 'to throw away cards' in card games. By the 16th century, it broadened to mean rejecting anything unwanted.
Meaning 2：abandon an idea (discard)
discard
/dɪˈskɑːrd/
vt.
to stop believing in or following an idea, habit, or method.
abandon an idea
➕
/əˈbændən ən aɪˈdɪə/
vt.
To stop believing in or following a previous belief, habit, or method.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
To improve my English, I had to discard my old habit of translating every word in my head and start thinking directly in English.
To improve my English, I had to abandon my old habit of translating every word in my head and start thinking directly in English.
🔗 Collocations
discard a belief – to reject a particular opinion or conviction
discard outdated methods – to stop using old techniques in favor of modern ones
discard prejudice – to let go of biased or unfair pre-judgments
🔄 Synonyms
renounce (vt.) – to formally declare one's abandonment of a belief or practice
relinquish (vt.) – to voluntarily give up a habit or idea
dismiss (vt.) – to decide that an idea or possibility is not worth considering
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
discardment (n.) – the act of discarding something (usually an idea or habit)
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