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Webster 1913 Edition

Discreet

Dis-creet′

,
Adj.
[
Com
par.
Discreeter
;
sup
erl.
Discreetest
.]
[F.
discret
, L.
discretus
separated (whence the meaning
reserved
,
prudent
), p. p. of
discernere
. See
Discern
, and cf.
Discrete
.]
1.
Possessed of discernment, especially in avoiding error or evil, and in the adaptation of means to ends; prudent; sagacious; judicious; not rash or heedless; cautious.
It is the
discreet
man, not the witty, nor the learned, nor the brave, who guides the conversation, and gives measures to society.
Addison.
Satire ’s my weapon, but I 'm too
discreet

To run amuck, and tilt at all I meet.
Pope.
The sea is silent, the sea is
discreet
.
Longfellow.

Webster 1828 Edition

Discreet

DISCREET

,
Adj.
[L., Gr. It is sometimes written discrete; the distinction between discreet and discrete are arbitrary, but perhaps not entirely useless. The literal sense is, separate, reserved, wary, hence discerning.]
1.
Prudent; wise in avoiding errors or evil, and in selecting the best means to accomplish a purpose; circumspect; cautious; wary; not rash.
It is the discreet man, not the witty, nor the learned, nor the brave, who guides the conversation, and gives measures to society.
Let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise. Genesis 41.

Definition 2024

discreet

discreet

English

Adjective

discreet ‎(comparative more discreet, superlative most discreet)

  1. Respectful of privacy or secrecy; quiet; diplomatic.
    With a discreet gesture, she reminded him to mind his manners.
    John just doesn't understand that laughing at Mary all day is not very discreet.
  2. Not drawing attention, anger or challenge; inconspicuous.

Usage notes

Derived terms

Translations

Anagrams

Dutch

Pronunciation

Etymology

From Middle Dutch discreet, from Old French discret, from Medieval Latin discrētus, from discernō.

Adjective

discreet ‎(comparative discreter, superlative discreetst)

  1. discreet
  2. discrete

Inflection

Inflection of discreet
uninflected discreet
inflected discrete
comparative discreter
positive comparative superlative
predicative/adverbial discreet discreter het discreetst
het discreetste
indefinite m./f. sing. discrete discretere discreetste
n. sing. discreet discreter discreetste
plural discrete discretere discreetste
definite discrete discretere discreetste
partitive discreets discreters —

Etymology

From Old French discret, from Latin discrētus, from past participle of discernēre.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /dɪˈskɹiːt/
  • Rhymes: -iːt
  • Homophone: discrete (separable into parts)

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