Discretion
[dɪ'skreʃ(ə)n] or [dɪ'skrɛʃən]
Definition
(noun.) the trait of judging wisely and objectively; 'a man of discernment'.
(noun.) knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress; 'the servants showed great tact and discretion'.
(noun.) freedom to act or judge on one's own.
Editor: Quentin--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) Disjunction; separation.
(n.) The quality of being discreet; wise conduct and management; cautious discernment, especially as to matters of propriety and self-control; prudence; circumspection; wariness.
(n.) Discrimination.
(n.) Freedom to act according to one's own judgment; unrestrained exercise of choice or will.
Checked by Annabelle
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [1]. Prudence (in things immediately before us), judgment, caution, wariness, carefulness, circumspection, considerateness, judiciousness.[2]. Will, pleasure, choice, liberty of judgment.
Edited by Lelia
Synonyms and Antonyms
[See DISCREET]
Inputed by Betty
Definition
n. quality of being discreet: prudence: liberty to act at pleasure.—adjs. Discre′tional Discre′tionary left to discretion: unrestricted —advs. Discre′tionally Discre′tionarily.—Age Years of discretion mature years; At discretion according to one's own judgment; Be at one's discretion to be completely under another person's power or control; Surrender at discretion to surrender unconditionally that is to another's discretion.
Checked by Freda
Unserious Contents or Definition
An instinctive perception that enables us to say, 'Oh, shut up!' to the small, weak man, and 'I beg your pardon, but I do not entirely agree with your views,' to the large, strong one.
Typed by Geraldine
Examples
- Firstly, because I say so; and secondly, because discretion and reserve are a girl's best wisdom. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- I almost dread to-morrow--so much depends on my discretion and self-control. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- That is all, Mr. Holmes, and I am sure that I can rely upon your discretion and that of your friend. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- I hope, guardian, said I, that you may not trust too much to my discretion. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- And he did not believe in the extreme discretion that then ruled Roman strategy. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- But if, instead of being the personification of reserve and discretion, she were something quite opposite, I should not fear her. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- He made war according to his own discretion, frequently against his neighbours, and sometimes against his sovereign. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- I tell you fairly, I don't trust your discretion, and I don't trust your temper. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- Groups of every description were to be seen devouring the food and swallowing the liquor thus abandoned to their discretion. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- I can trust in their discretion; and I am sure, when I tell you the circumstances, I can trust in yours. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- I was very much pleased with what I collected to have been your behaviour on the occasion; it shewed a discretion highly to be commended. Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
- My son's choice shall be mine, said Mrs. Farebrother, with majestic discretion, and a wife would be most welcome, Camden. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- So you had better use your own discretion. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- He only replied, Silence, maiden; thy tongue outruns thy discretion. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- Where does discretion end, and avarice begin? Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
- Her discretions interested him almost as much as her imprudences: he was so sure that both were part of the same carefully-elaborated plan. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
Typist: Perry