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Discovery

1. The action of discovering; exposure to view; laying open; showing; as, the discovery of a plot.

2. A making known; revelation; disclosure; as, a bankrupt is bound to make a full discovery of his assets. In the clear discoveries of the next [world] (South)

3. Finding out or ascertaining something previously unknown or unrecognised; as, Harvey's discovery of the circulation of the blood. A brilliant career of discovery and conquest. (Prescott) We speak of the invention of printing, the discovery of America. (Trench)

4. That which is discovered; a thing found out, or for the first time ascertained or recognised; as, the properties of the magnet were an important discovery.

5. Exploration; examination.