də̇ˈskreshən sometimes ÷-rēsh- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English discrecioun, from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French discretion, from Late Latin discretion-, discretio, from Latin discretus (past participle of discernere to separate, distinguish between) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at discern
1. : the quality of being discreet : prudence , circumspection , tact , wariness
use care and discretion in your choice of a cleaner — Richard Joseph
: restraint , moderation , delicacy
plays with discretion , even with beauty, but gives no impression of being a complicated person — E.R.Bentley
especially : cautious reserve especially in speech
a manservant who exuded discretion from every pore — Basil Thompson
: ability to maintain a secret : secrecy
discretion is a trait of primary importance in a public official
promises of complete discretion have been exchanged only a few minutes before — Henri Bonnet
2. archaic : the act or faculty of discerning, discriminating, or judging : discernment
it is not in mortal discretion to fathom her craft — Charlotte Brontë
3.
a. : power of decision : individual judgment
it is a matter that I cannot leave to anyone's discretion — Upton Sinclair
b. : power of free decision or choice within certain legal bounds
for students of constitutional law the royal discretion in Australia has an illuminating history — Alexander Brady
subject to the president's discretion
specifically : the latitude of decision within which a court or judge decides questions arising in a particular case not expressly controlled by fixed rules of law according to the circumstances and according to the judgment of the court or judge (as in suspension of a sentence or the amount of a fine) : ability to make decisions which represent a responsible choice and for which an understanding of what is lawful, right, or wise may be presupposed — see age of discretion
4.
a. obsolete : the act of separating or distinguishing
b. archaic : the quality or state of being separate and distinct : discreteness
5. Scotland : politeness , civility
Synonyms: see prudence
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- at discretion