noun.
An allowance or deduction, generally of so much per cent., made for prepayment or for prompt payment of a bill or account; a sum deducted, in consideration of cash payment, from the price of a thing usually sold on credit; any deduction from the customary price, or from a sum due or to be due at a future time.
noun.
In finance, the rate per cent. deducted from the face value of a promissory note, bill of exchange, etc., when purchasing the privilege of collecting its amount at maturity.
noun.
The act of discounting: as, a note is lodged in the bank for discount; the banks have suspended discounts.
noun.
In billiards, an allowance made by a superior to an inferior player of a deduction of one count from his string for every count made by the latter.
To reckon off or deduct in settlement; make a reduction of: as, to discount 5 per cent. for cash payment of a bill.
To leave out of account; disregard.
In finance, to purchase, or pay the amount of in cash, less a certain rate per cent., as a promissory note, bill of exchange, etc., to be collected by the discounter or purchaser at maturity: as, to discount a bill or a claim at 7 per cent. Compare negotiate.
Hence To make a deduction from; put a reduced estimate or valuation upon; make an allowance for exaggeration or excess in: as, to discount a braggart's story; to discount an improbable piece of news.
To reckon or act upon in advance; diminish by anticipation the interest, pleasure, etc., of; take for granted as going to happen: as, to discount one's future prospects; to discount the pleasure of a journey.
In billiards, to allow discount to: as, to discount an inferior player. See discount, n., 4.