■ noun
1》 the quality of being discreet.
2》 the freedom to decide on a course of action: fellowships may be awarded at the ~ of the council.
Derivatives
~ary adjective
Origin
ME (in the sense 'discernment'): via OFr. from L. discretio(n-) 'separation' (in late L. 'discernment'), from discernere (see discern ).