v.
Pronunciation: dis- ' kri-m ə - ˌ n ā t
Function: verb
Inflected Form: -nat · ed ; -nat · ing
Etymology: Latin discriminatus, past participle of discriminare, from discrimin-, discrimen distinction, from discernere to distinguish between ― more at DISCERN
Date: 1628
transitive verb
1 a : to mark or perceive the distinguishing or peculiar features of b : DISTINGUISH , DIFFERENTIATE < discriminate hundreds of colors>
2 : to distinguish by discerning or exposing differences especially : to distinguish from another like object
intransitive verb
1 a : to make a distinction < discriminate among historical sources> b : to use good judgment
2 : to make a difference in treatment or favor on a basis other than individual merit < discriminate in favor of your friends> < discriminate against a certain nationality>