DISCRIMINATION


Meaning of DISCRIMINATION in English

də̇ˌskriməˈnāshən noun

( -s )

Etymology: Late Latin discrimination-, discriminatio act of contrasting opposite thoughts, separation, distribution, from Latin discriminatus + -ion-, -io -ion

1.

a. : the act or an instance of discriminating: as

(1) : the making or perceiving of a distinction or difference

incapable of discrimination between the imaginary and the real

the same name was applied to both instruments with little discrimination

(2) : recognition, perception, or identification especially of differences

the eye is capable of much finer discrimination of detail — Otto Glasser

: critical evaluation or judgment

the public would need to be educated in the discrimination of cider — English Digest

b. psychology : the process by which two stimuli differing in some aspect are responded to differently : differentiation

2. archaic : something that discriminates : a distinguishing mark

3. : the quality of being discriminating : the power of finely distinguishing (as in respect to quality) : good or refined taste : discernment

nobody should reproach them for reading indiscriminately … only by so doing can they learn discrimination — Times Literary Supplement

4. : the act, practice, or an instance of discriminating categorically rather than individually

waged a lifelong campaign to end discrimination against women

relieved the working class of economic and political discriminations found in other countries — T.S.Barclay

as

a. : the according of differential treatment to persons of an alien race or religion (as by formal or informal restrictions imposed in regard to housing, employment, or use of public community facilities)

b. : the act or practice on the part of a common carrier of discriminating (as in the imposition of tariffs) between persons, localities, or commodities in respect to substantially the same service

• dis·crim·i·na·tion·al  ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|nāshən ə l, -shnəl adjective

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.