discount
UK[ˈdɪskaʊnt]US[ˈdɪskaʊnt]
n
a reduction in the usual price of something
v
to reduce the usual price of something
v
to regard something as unlikely to be true or important
Morpheme Breakdown
dis
count
dis
away, off
count
calculate
Etymology
the word "discount" entered english in the early 17th century from the old french "desconter," meaning "reckon off, deduct." this, in turn, derived from the medieval latin "discomputare," a combination of the latin prefix "dis-" (expressing reversal) and "computare" (to calculate). the literal sense of "counting off" or "deducting from a total" evolved into the commercial meaning of a price reduction. the figurative verb sense, "to disregard or dismiss," developed from the idea of subtracting value or importance from a claim or piece of information.
Analysis
Structure: dis (away, off) + count (calculate)
"dis-" is a Latin prefix meaning "apart, away, having a negative or reversing force." "count" is from Latin "computare" via Old French "conter," meaning "to calculate, reckon."
Examples
they offer a 10% discount for students.
the store discounted all winter clothing by 50%.
we cannot discount the possibility that he will change his mind.