Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Discovery

Discovery , noun

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 unrecognized; 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 recognized; as, the properties of the magnet were an important discovery.
5.
Exploration; examination. [Obsolete]