What does discretion mean?
Definitions for discretion
dɪˈskrɛʃ əndis·cre·tion
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word discretion.
Princeton's WordNet
discretionnoun
freedom to act or judge on one's own
discretion, discreetness, circumspection, prudencenoun
knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress
"the servants showed great tact and discretion"
delicacy, discretionnoun
refined taste; tact
free will, discretionnoun
the power of making free choices unconstrained by external agencies
discretion, discernmentnoun
the trait of judging wisely and objectively
"a man of discernment"
Wiktionary
discretionnoun
The quality of being discreet or circumspect
Bob showed great discretion despite his knowledge of the affair.
discretionnoun
The ability to make wise choices or decisions
discretionnoun
The freedom to make one's own judgements
I leave that to your discretion.
Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
Discretionnoun
Etymology: from discretio, Latin.
Nothing then was further thought upon for the manner of governing; but all permitted unto their wisdom and discretion which were to rule. Richard Hooker, b. i. s. 10.
A knife may be taken away from a child, without depriving them of the benefits thereof, which have years and discretion to use it. Richard Hooker, b. iv. s. 12.
It is not good that children should know any wickedness: old folks, you know, have discretion, as they say, and know the world. William Shakespeare, Merry Wives of Windsor.
All this was order’d by the good discretion
Of the right reverend cardinal of York. William Shakespeare, Hen. VIII.The pleasure of commanding our passions is to be preferred before any sensual pleasure; because it is the pleasure of wisdom and discretion. John Tillotson.
But care in poetry must still be had,
It asks discretion, ev’n in running mad. Alexander Pope, Ess. on Crit.There is no talent so useful towards rising in the world, or which puts men more out of the reach of fortune than discretion, a species of lower prudence. Jonathan Swift.
Wikipedia
Discretion
Discretion has the meaning of acting on one's own authority and judgment. In law, discretion as to legal rulings, such as whether evidence is excluded at a trial, may be exercised by a judge. Some view discretion negatively, while some view it positively. Discretion exists at all levels of law enforcement and in many types of front-line bureaucrats. Discretion has been called "the Art of suiting the action to particular circumstances" (Lord Scarman). Those in a position of power are most often able to exercise discretion as to how they will apply or exercise that power. The ability to make decisions which represent a responsible choice and for which an understanding of what is lawful, right or wise may be presupposed.
ChatGPT
discretion
Discretion is the ability to make sound judgments or decisions based on careful consideration of various factors, while keeping certain information, actions, or opinions confidential or private as deemed appropriate. It involves exercising caution and prudence to take appropriate actions or refrain from revealing certain things in order to respect privacy, maintain confidentiality, avoid causing harm, or maintain professional integrity.
Webster Dictionary
Discretionnoun
disjunction; separation
Discretionnoun
the quality of being discreet; wise conduct and management; cautious discernment, especially as to matters of propriety and self-control; prudence; circumspection; wariness
Discretionnoun
discrimination
Discretionnoun
freedom to act according to one's own judgment; unrestrained exercise of choice or will
Etymology: [F. discrtion, L. discretio separation, difference, discernment, fr. discernere, discretum. See Discreet, Discern.]
Wikidata
Discretion
Discretion is a noun in the English language with several meanings revolving around the judgment of the person exercising the characteristic.
Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
Discretion
dis-kresh′un, 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. [Through Fr. from L. discretion-em, discernĕre, -crētum.]
The Foolish Dictionary, by Gideon Wurdz
DISCRETION
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.
Dictionary of Nautical Terms
discretion
To surrender at discretion, implies an unconditional yielding to the mercy of the conquerors.
Military Dictionary and Gazetteer
discretion
Se rendre à discrétion, surrendering unconditionally to a victorious enemy.
Editors Contribution
discretionverb
Instructing to contain order with expressing inversions to the creditor in a conditioned response ahead of time with ionic matter. 1.) the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing private information. 2.) the freedom to decide what should be done in a particular situation.
The Most High showed discretion to his people by giving them the words of Jesus Christ.
Etymology: Forgiveness
Submitted by Tehorah_Elyon on April 5, 2024
British National Corpus
Spoken Corpus Frequency
Rank popularity for the word 'discretion' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #4648
Nouns Frequency
Rank popularity for the word 'discretion' in Nouns Frequency: #1912
Anagrams for discretion »
directions
soricident
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of discretion in Chaldean Numerology is: 8
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of discretion in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8
Examples of discretion in a Sentence
The questions he was asking were not the normal questions a normal person would be asking. If something is suspicious, it’s our discretion, we are the gatekeeper. Federal investigators say that in the week before he murdered dozens people and wounded more than 50 others at the Pulse nighclub in Orlando, Mateen visited another gun shop, where he purchased a pistol and a.223 SIG Sauer semiautomatic rifle. Authorities are still trying to determine the motives behind the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. The Justice Department released the full transcript of Mateen’s 911 call on the night of the massacre Monday. In his 50-second call to police he claimed responsibility for the terror attack and pledged allegiance to Islamic State’s leader. The summary shows that Mateen told negotiators he had a vehicle outside that has some bombs. Just to let you know. You people are gon na get it, and I'm gon na ignite it if they try to do anything stupid. Mateen claimed he had an explosive vest similar to the kind used by terrorists in France, referencing the November terror attack in Paris. In the next few days, you're going to see more of this type of action going on, Mateen said. He also reportedly told hostages that he would put suicide vests on them. No explosives were ever found on Mateen inside the club or in any vehicles outside. Mateen was armed with two guns during the rampage. Despite claims by the administration and law enforcement officials that ISIS did not direct Mateen to carry out the attack, Defense Secretary Ash Carter on Monday used the massacre as an example of why the terror group must be defeated.
Upon accepting a referral ... the law does not provide an agency with discretion to refuse to provide the accepted child or individual with state-contracted foster care case management or adoption services that conflict with its sincerely held religious beliefs.
Discretion is the perfection of reason, and a guide to us in all the duties of life.
(The bill) grants ministers so much discretion to demand corrections, takedowns and access to be blocked.
Skepticism is the chastity of the intellect, and it is shameful to surrender it too soon or to the first comer there is nobility in preserving it coolly and proudly through long youth, until at last, in the ripeness of instinct and discretion, it can be safely exchanged for fidelity and happiness.
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References
Translations for discretion
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
- حرية التصرفArabic
- преценка, благоразумие, усмотрение, дискретностBulgarian
- možnost uvážení, soudnost, ohleduplnost, diskrétnost, uvážlivost, možnost se rozhodnoutCzech
- pwyllWelsh
- DiskretionGerman
- اختیارPersian
- hienotunteisuus, tahdikkuus, harkintakyky, hienovaraisuus, tilannetaju, oma harkintaFinnish
- discrétionFrench
- विवेकHindi
- riservatezza, discrezione, discernimentoItalian
- 신중Korean
- discretieDutch
- diskresjonNorwegian
- dyskrecjaPolish
- discriçãoPortuguese
- maturitate, libertate de decizie, rezervă, discrețieRomanian
- [[свобода]] [[действие, прозорливость, усмотрение, осмотрительностьRussian
- omdöme, diskretionSwedish
- சுயேச்சையானTamil
- విచక్షణతోTelugu
- صوابدیدUrdu
- 慎重Chinese
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"discretion." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 1 May 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/discretion>.
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