discrete variable

n. A variable that may take on only one of a number of possible values; as such, discrete variables cannot represent all possible values within the limits of the variable range. For example, if one is responding on a rating scale in which he/she must select 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, these are the only response values possible; the variable cannot be anything but one of these numbers (it cannot have the value of 3.5 or any other variation of the number choices). In contrast, variables that can take on any value within the range are called continuous variables.

- BJM