Discrepant
/dɪˈskrɛpənt/noun
Not matching, agreeing, or corresponding; inconsistent or conflicting.
Did you know?Its Latin ancestor could describe something making a harsh or discordant noise, linking intellectual disagreement to the physical imagery of rattling or cracking sound.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
discrepāre
“To sound differently, be discordant, or disagree”
Classical Latin
Latin
discrepans
“Sounding apart; differing or inconsistent”
Late Latin
Latin
discrepantia
“Difference, disagreement, or discord”
15th Century
Middle English
discrepant
“Differing or inconsistent”
Modern English
English
discrepant
“Not matching, corresponding, or agreeing”
Explore more surprising origins