discretion
pronunciation
How to pronounce discretion in British English:
UK [dɪˈskreʃn]
How to pronounce discretion in American English:
US [dɪˈskreʃn]
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- Noun:
- freedom to act or judge on one's own
- knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress
- refined taste; tact
- the power of making free choices unconstrained by external agencies
- the trait of judging wisely and objectively
Word Origin
- discretion (n.)
- c. 1300, dyscrecyun, "moral discernment," from Old French discrecion or directly from Late Latin discretionem (nominative discretio) "discernment, power to make distinctions," in classical Latin "separation, distinction," noun of state from past participle stem of discernere "to separate, distinguish" (see discern). Phrase at (one's) discretion attested from 1570s, from sense of "power to decide or judge" (late 14c.); the age of discretion (late 14c.) in English law was 14.
Example
- 1. But he breached his trade 's cardinal rule : discretion .
- 2. In today 's volatile markets , such discretion might prove the better part of valour .
- 3. Tact and discretion are paramount when coaching your staff .
- 4. The first close is an important milestone as it means expressions of interest from lps are converted into firm commitments allowing funds to be drawn down and invested at the discretion of the gp .
- 5. Social media types insist on transparency at the cost of every other virtue , including discretion . While noble , this point of view is not necessarily realistic in day-to-day american business and personal interactions .