discovery

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   in law, compulsory pretrial disclosure of documents relevant to a case

   The discovery revealed a lot of incriminating evidence.

2. 2
   noun

   Something discovered.

   This latest discovery should eventually lead to much better treatments for disease.

3. 3
   noun

   The discovering of new things.

   The purpose of the voyage was discovery.

4. 4
   noun

   An act of uncovering or revealing something; a revelation.

   Don Huberto actually fell in love with his kinswoman, and had presumption enough to declare his passion […] The lady being a woman of discretion, instead of making a discovery, which might have been attended with melancholy consequences, reprimanded her relation with gentleness […]

5. 5
   noun

   A pre-trial phase in which evidence is gathered.

   The prosecution moved to suppress certain items turned up during discovery.

6. 6
   noun

   Materials revealed to the opposing party during the pre-trial phase in which evidence is gathered.

   The defense argued that the plaintiff's discovery was inadequate.

7. 7
   noun

   A discovered attack.

   1700: "If I play f4, he can check me with ...Qd4, but then he has to move his Queen because he can easily lose it to a Bishop discovery on b5. He could also check me on c5 when his Queen might be safer. I could just move out of the way, though, and continue my attack."

8. 8
   noun

   the act of discovering something

Etymology

from discover + -ery, on the pattern of the pair recover, recovery. Displaced native Old English onfundennes.