Definitions for discretion
dɪˈskrɛʃ əndis·cre·tion

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:1.3 / 3 votes

1. discretionnoun

   freedom to act or judge on one's own

2. discretion, discreetness, circumspection, prudencenoun

   knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress

   "the servants showed great tact and discretion"

3. delicacy, discretionnoun

   refined taste; tact

4. free will, discretionnoun

   the power of making free choices unconstrained by external agencies

5. discretion, discernmentnoun

   the trait of judging wisely and objectively

   "a man of discernment"

WiktionaryRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. discretionnoun

   The quality of being discreet or circumspect

   Bob showed great discretion despite his knowledge of the affair.

2. discretionnoun

   The ability to make wise choices or decisions

3. discretionnoun

   The freedom to make one's own judgements

   I leave that to your discretion.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Discretionnoun

   Etymology: from discretio, Latin.

   1. Prudence; knowledge to govern or direct one’s self; skill; wise management.

   Nothing then was further thought upon for the manner of governing; but all permitted unto their wisdom and discretion which were to rule. Richard Hooker, b. i. s. 10.

   A knife may be taken away from a child, without depriving them of the benefits thereof, which have years and discretion to use it. Richard Hooker, b. iv. s. 12.

   It is not good that children should know any wickedness: old folks, you know, have discretion, as they say, and know the world. William Shakespeare, Merry Wives of Windsor.

   All this was order’d by the good discretion
   Of the right reverend cardinal of York. William Shakespeare, Hen. VIII.

   The pleasure of commanding our passions is to be preferred before any sensual pleasure; because it is the pleasure of wisdom and discretion. John Tillotson.

   But care in poetry must still be had,
   It asks discretion, ev’n in running mad. Alexander Pope, Ess. on Crit.

   There is no talent so useful towards rising in the world, or which puts men more out of the reach of fortune than discretion, a species of lower prudence. Jonathan Swift.

   2. Liberty of acting at pleasure; uncontrolled, and unconditional power; as, he surrenders at discretion; that is, without stipulation.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Discretion

   Discretion has the meaning of acting on one's own authority and judgment. In law, discretion as to legal rulings, such as whether evidence is excluded at a trial, may be exercised by a judge. Some view discretion negatively, while some view it positively. Discretion exists at all levels of law enforcement and in many types of front-line bureaucrats. Discretion has been called "the Art of suiting the action to particular circumstances" (Lord Scarman). Those in a position of power are most often able to exercise discretion as to how they will apply or exercise that power. The ability to make decisions which represent a responsible choice and for which an understanding of what is lawful, right or wise may be presupposed.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. discretion

   Discretion is the ability to make sound judgments or decisions based on careful consideration of various factors, while keeping certain information, actions, or opinions confidential or private as deemed appropriate. It involves exercising caution and prudence to take appropriate actions or refrain from revealing certain things in order to respect privacy, maintain confidentiality, avoid causing harm, or maintain professional integrity.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Discretionnoun

   disjunction; separation

2. Discretionnoun

   the quality of being discreet; wise conduct and management; cautious discernment, especially as to matters of propriety and self-control; prudence; circumspection; wariness

3. Discretionnoun

   discrimination

4. Discretionnoun

   freedom to act according to one's own judgment; unrestrained exercise of choice or will

5. Etymology: [F. discrtion, L. discretio separation, difference, discernment, fr. discernere, discretum. See Discreet, Discern.]

WikidataRate this definition:2.0 / 1 vote

1. Discretion

   Discretion is a noun in the English language with several meanings revolving around the judgment of the person exercising the characteristic.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Discretion

   dis-kresh′un, n. quality of being discreet: prudence: liberty to act at pleasure.—adjs. Discre′tional, Discre′tionary, left to discretion: unrestricted,—advs. Discre′tionally, Discre′tionarily.—Age, Years, of discretion, mature years; At discretion, according to one's own judgment; Be at one's discretion, to be completely under another person's power or control; Surrender at discretion, to surrender unconditionally, that is, to another's discretion. [Through Fr. from L. discretion-em, discernĕre, -crētum.]

The Foolish Dictionary, by Gideon WurdzRate this definition:2.7 / 3 votes

1. DISCRETION

   An instinctive perception that enables us to say, "Oh, shut up!" to the small, weak man, and "I beg your pardon, but I do not entirely agree with your views," to the large, strong one.

Dictionary of Nautical TermsRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. discretion

   To surrender at discretion, implies an unconditional yielding to the mercy of the conquerors.

Military Dictionary and GazetteerRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. discretion

   Se rendre à discrétion, surrendering unconditionally to a victorious enemy.

Editors ContributionRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. discretionverb

   Instructing to contain order with expressing inversions to the creditor in a conditioned response ahead of time with ionic matter. 1.) the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing private information. 2.) the freedom to decide what should be done in a particular situation.

   The Most High showed discretion to his people by giving them the words of Jesus Christ.

   Etymology: Forgiveness

   
   

   Submitted by Tehorah_Elyon on April 5, 2024  

Matched Categories

1. • Liberty
   • Sagacity
   • Taste
   • Wisdom

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'discretion' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #4648

2. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'discretion' in Nouns Frequency: #1912

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

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Anagrams for discretion »

1. directions

2. soricident

How to pronounce discretion?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say discretion in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of discretion in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of discretion in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8

Examples of discretion in a Sentence

1. Environmental Protection Agency:

   Environmental Protection Agency is committed to protecting human health and the environment, but recognizes challenges resulting from efforts to protect workers and the public from COVID-19 may directly impact the ability of regulated facilities to meet all federal regulatory requirements, this temporary policy is designed to provide enforcement discretion under the current, extraordinary conditions, while ensuring facility operations continue to protect human health and the environment.

2. Lyndsay Meyer:

   The FDA previously exercised enforcement discretion regarding the importation of sodium thiopental used for lethal injection.

3. George Santayana:

   Skepticism is the chastity of the intellect, and it is shameful to surrender it too soon or to the first comer there is nobility in preserving it coolly and proudly through long youth, until at last, in the ripeness of instinct and discretion, it can be safely exchanged for fidelity and happiness.

4. Border Protection chief Mark Morgan:

   Those individuals who do make it to the United States that don't have travel documents... we're going to apply discretion on a case-by-case basis. We're not going to deny somebody solely because they don't have travel documents.

5. Missouri State University:

   Faculty members have broad discretion in their research choices, when students, staff and/or faculty conduct research at Missouri State University that involves human participants, they are required to submit an application to the Institutional Review Board (IRB).

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=discretion
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Discretion
3. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=discretion
4. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discretion
5. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
6. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discretion
7. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=discretion
8. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=discretion
9. ^ The Foolish Dictionary, by Gideon Wurdz
   https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/1989/pg1989-images.html#:~:text=discretion
10. ^ Dictionary of Nautical Terms
    https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/26000/pg26000-images.html#:~:text=discretion
11. ^ Military Dictionary and Gazetteer
    https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/59563/pg59563-images.html
12. ^ Usage in printed sources
    https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=discretion