discounting
UK[dɪsˈkaʊntɪŋ]US[ˈdɪskaʊntɪŋ]
v
considering something to be of little importance or value; disregarding or making an allowance for something.
v
(finance) deducting an amount from the usual price of something.
v
(finance) buying or selling a bill of exchange before its maturity date at a price less than its face value.
Morpheme Breakdown
dis
count
ing
dis
away, apart
count
calculate, reckon
ing
verb suffix
Etymology
the word 'discounting' originates from the old french term 'desconter', which itself is derived from the medieval latin 'discomputare', meaning 'to deduct, subtract'. this latin verb is a compound of the prefix 'dis-', indicating reversal or removal, and 'computare', meaning 'to count or calculate'. the core logic of the word has always revolved around the idea of calculating a deduction or subtraction from a total amount. over time, its meaning expanded from the literal financial act of deducting a sum to the more abstract conceptual act of disregarding or reducing the significance of a factor in consideration. the '-ing' suffix marks its function as a present participle or gerund in modern english.
Analysis
Structure: dis (away, apart) + count (calculate, reckon) + ing (verb suffix)
dis (latin origin, a prefix meaning 'apart', 'away', or having a reversing force); count (latin origin, from 'computare' meaning 'to calculate, reckon'); ing (old english origin, a suffix forming the present participle or gerund of verbs).
Examples
discounting the possibility of rain, we decided to proceed with the outdoor event.
the store is discounting last season's merchandise by 50 percent.
in investment analysis, discounting future cash flows is a fundamental valuation technique.