Discontinue, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Discontinued; p. pr. & vb. n. Discontinuing.]
Etymology: [Cf. F. discontinuer.]
To interrupt the continuance of; to intermit, as a practice or habit; to put an end to; to cause to cease; to cease using, to stop; to leave off. Set up their conventicles again, which had been discontinued. Bp. Burnet. I have discontinued school Above a twelvemonth. Shak. Taught the Greek tongue, discontinued before in these parts the space of seven hundred years. Daniel. They modify and discriminate the voice, without appearing to discontinue it. Holder.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Discontinue, v. i.
1. To lose continuity or cohesion of parts; to be disrupted or broken off. Bacon.
2. To be separated or severed; to part. Thyself shalt discontinue from thine heritage. Jer. xvii. 4.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for discontinue; he lists it under abandon, cease.
Where he writes about it:
A man quits work on the instant; he may discontinue a practise gradually; he quits suddenly and completely; he stops short in what he may or may not resume; he pauses in what he will probably resume. — from cease