1 to find or learn sth that nobody had found or knew before 发现；获悉: Who discovered the lost city of Machu Picchu? 谁发现了那个失踪的城市马丘比丘？Scientists are hoping to discover the cause of the epidemic. 科学家希望找出这流行病的成因。

2 to find or learn sth without expecting to or that sb does not want you to find 无意间发觉: I think I've discovered why the computer won't print out. 我想我已经明白为什么这部计算机印不出东西。The police discovered drugs hidden under the floor. 警方发现毒品藏在地板底下。 ➔discoverer noun [C]: Parkinson's disease was named after its discoverer. 帕金森氏病是以发现者的姓氏命名的。