noun

• (uncountable) The discovering of new things.
  "The purpose of the voyage was discovery."
• (countable, archaic) An act of uncovering or revealing something; a revelation.
  "Don Huberto actually fell in love with his kinswoman, and had presumption enough to declare his passion […] The lady being a woman of discretion, instead of making a discovery, which might have been attended with melancholy consequences, reprimanded her relation with gentleness […]"
• (law, uncountable) A pre-trial phase in which evidence is gathered.
  "The prosecution moved to suppress certain items turned up during discovery."
• (law, uncountable) Materials revealed to the opposing party during the pre-trial phase in which evidence is gathered.
  "The defense argued that the plaintiff's discovery was inadequate."