discover
/dɪsˈkʌvə(r)/verb
with obj.
1
- find (something or someone) unexpectedly or in the course of a search发现：
firemen discovered a body in the debris
消防队员们在废墟中发现一具尸体
she discovered her lover in the arms of another woman.
她在另一个女人的怀抱中发现了她的情人。
1.1
- become aware of (a fact or situation)知晓（事实, 情况）：
the courage to discover the truth and possibly be disappointed
在可能会失望的情况下了解真相的勇气
with clause it was a relief to discover that he wasn't in.知道他不在里面让大家松了口气。
1.2
- be the first to find or observe (a place, substance, or scientific phenomenon)（首次）发现（或观察到）（地点, 物质, 科学现象）：
Fleming discovered penicillin early in the twentieth century.
弗莱明在20世纪初首次发现了青霉素。
1.3
- perceive the attractions of (an activity or subject) for the first time首次察觉…的吸引力：
a teenager who has recently discovered fashion.
一个刚感受到时尚魅力的年轻人。
1.4
- be the first to recognize the potential of (an actor, singer, or musician)发现（演员、歌唱演员或音乐家的潜力）：
I discovered the band back in the mid 70s.
早在70年代中期我就慧眼看中了这个乐队。
2
- archaic divulge (a secret)〈古〉泄漏（秘密）：
they contain some secrets which Time will discover.
他们有些秘密, 时间会让其水落石出的。
2.1
- disclose the identity of (someone)透露（某人）的身份：
she at last discovered herself to me.
她终于向我透露了自己的身份。
2.2
- display (a quality or feeling)显露（品质, 感情）：
with what agility did these military men discover their skill in feats of war.
这些军人们是以何等的机敏在辉煌的战争中展示了他们的技能。
派生词
discoverable
adjectivediscoverer
noun词源
Middle English （in the sense 'make known'）： from Old French descovrir, from late Latin discooperire, from Latin dis- (expressing reversal)+cooperire 'cover completely' （see COVER）.