Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Discretion
Dis-cre′tion
,Noun.
1.
Disjunction; separation.
[Obs.]
Mede.
2.
The quality of being discreet; wise conduct and management; cautious discernment, especially as to matters of propriety and self-control; prudence; circumspection; wariness.
The better part of valor is
discretion
. Shakespeare
The greatest parts without
discretion
may be fatal to their owner. Hume.
3.
Discrimination.
Well spoken, with good accent and good
discretion
. Shakespeare
4.
Freedom to act according to one’s own judgment; unrestrained exercise of choice or will.
At discretion
, without conditions or stipulations.
Webster 1828 Edition
Discretion
DISCRETION
,Noun.
1.
Prudence, or knowledge and prudence; that discernment which enables a person to judge critically of what is correct and proper, united with caution; nice discernment and judgment, directed by circumspection, and primarily regarding ones own conduct.A good man--will guide his affairs with discretion. Psalm 112.
My son, keep sound wisdom and discretion. Proverbs 3.
2.
Liberty or power of acting without other control than ones own judgment; as, the management of affairs was left to the discretion of the prince; he is left to his own discretion. Hence, To surrender at discretion, is to surrender without stipulation or terms, and commit ones self entirely to the power of the conqueror.
3.
Disjunction; separation. [Not much used.]Definition 2024
discretion
discretion
See also: discrétion
English
Noun
discretion (usually uncountable, plural discretions)
- The quality of being discreet or circumspect.
- Bob showed great discretion despite his knowledge of the affair.
- The ability to make wise choices or decisions.
- The freedom to make one's own judgements.
- I leave that to your discretion.
Antonyms
Derived terms
Translations
the quality of being discreet or circumspect
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the ability to make wise choices or decisions
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the freedom to make one's own judgements
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Anagrams
Old French
Alternative forms
- discrecion
Noun
discretion f (oblique plural discretions, nominative singular discretion, nominative plural discretions)
- discretion (ability to make one's own judgments)
- 1303, Bernard de Gordon, Fleur de lis de medecine (a.k.a. lilium medicine):
-
l’ung ou l’autre selon la discretion du medicin.
- one or the other according to the discretion of the doctor.
-
l’ung ou l’autre selon la discretion du medicin.
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