discovered
English meaning: Discovered
Definition
To find or learn something for the first time.
Example
“Turning the corner, I discovered a lovely little shop. I discovered that they sold widgets.”
Another example: “She discovered an old letter tucked inside the second-hand book.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Past tense of 'discover'. A neutral, everyday verb for finding or learning something for the first time, used of places, facts, people, and things. 'It was discovered that...' is common in formal and scientific writing.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old French 'descovrir' (to uncover, reveal), from Latin 'dis-' (un-) + 'cooperire' (to cover), entering English in the 14th century.
Synonyms
- determined
- ascertained
- revealed
- disclosed
- observed
- unconcealed
Antonyms / Opposites
- concealed
- hid
- overlooked
- missed
Related Words
- astronomer
- asteroid
- observatory
- antarctic
- comet
- excavation
- excavated
- telescope
- expedition
- discovery
Common Collocations
- recently discovered
- discovered a cure
- newly discovered
- discovered the truth
- discovered by accident
- later discovered
Word Forms
discover (v); discovered; discovers; discovering; discovery (n)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B