Adjacent Words

Discretion definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

DISCRETION, n. [L, a separating. See Discreet.]
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. Psalms 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.]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: freedom to act or judge on one's own
2: knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress; "the servants showed great tact and discretion" [syn: discretion, discreetness, circumspection, prudence]
3: refined taste; tact [syn: delicacy, discretion]
4: the power of making free choices unconstrained by external agencies [syn: free will, discretion]
5: the trait of judging wisely and objectively; "a man of discernment" [syn: discretion, discernment]

Merriam Webster's

noun Date: 14th century 1. the quality of being discreet ; circumspection; especially cautious reserve in speech 2. ability to make responsible decisions 3. a. individual choice or judgment <left the decision to his discretion> b. power of free decision or latitude of choice within certain legal bounds <reached the age of discretion> 4. the result of separating or distinguishing

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. 1 being discreet; discreet behaviour (treats confidences with discretion). 2 prudence; self-preservation. 3 the freedom to act and think as one wishes, usu. within legal limits (it is within his discretion to leave). 4 Law a court's freedom to decide a sentence etc. Phrases and idioms: at discretion as one pleases. at the discretion of to be settled or disposed of according to the judgement or choice of. discretion is the better part of valour reckless courage is often self-defeating. use one's discretion act according to one's own judgement. years (or age) of discretion the esp. legal age at which a person is able to manage his or her own affairs. Derivatives: discretionary adj. Etymology: ME f. OF f. L discretio -onis (as DISCREET)

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Discretion Dis*cre"tion, n. [F. discr['e]tion, L. discretio separation, difference, discernment, fr. discernere, discretum. See Discreet, Discern.] 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. --Shak. The greatest parts without discretion may be fatal to their owner. --Hume. 3. Discrimination. Well spoken, with good accent and good discretion. --Shak. 4. Freedom to act according to one's own judgment; unrestrained exercise of choice or will. At discretion, without conditions or stipulations.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

1. Discretion is the quality of behaving in a quiet and controlled way without drawing attention to yourself or giving away personal or private information. (FORMAL) Larsson sometimes joined in the fun, but with more discretion... 2. If someone in a position of authority uses their discretion or has the discretion to do something in a particular situation, they have the freedom and authority to decide what to do. (FORMAL) This committee may want to exercise its discretion to look into those charges... 3. If something happens at someone's discretion, it can happen only if they decide to do it or give their permission. (FORMAL) We may vary the limit at our discretion and will notify you of any change... PHRASE: usu PHR after v, v-link PHR

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. 1. Prudence (in things immediately before us), judgment, caution, wariness, carefulness, circumspection, considerateness, judiciousness. See prudence. 2. Sound judgment, good sense, discrimination, mature judgment, maturity, responsibility. 3. Will, pleasure, choice, liberty of judgment.

Foolish Dictionary

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.

Moby Thesaurus

airtight secrecy, aloofness, alternate choice, alternative, animus, anticipation, appetence, appetency, appetite, backwardness, bashfulness, blankness, calculation, canniness, care, careful consideration, carefulness, caution, cautiousness, chilliness, choice, circumspection, circumspectness, close secrecy, closeness, coldness, command, common sense, conation, conatus, concealment, consideration, constraint, contemplation, cool judgment, coolness, crypticness, decision, deliberate stages, deliberateness, deliberation, desire, detachment, determination, diplomacy, discernment, discreetness, discrimination, disposition, distance, envisagement, envisionment, evasion, evasiveness, expressionlessness, fancy, farseeingness, farsightedness, forecast, foreglance, foregleam, foreglimpse, forehandedness, foreseeing, foresight, foresightedness, forethought, free choice, free decision, free will, frigidity, frostiness, full consent, gingerliness, good judgment, good sense, guardedness, gumption, hedge, hedging, heed, heedfulness, hesitation, hiddenness, hugger-mugger, hugger-muggery, iciness, impassiveness, impassivity, impersonality, inaccessibility, inclination, intention, introversion, judgement, judgment, judiciousness, liking, longsightedness, looking ahead, lust, mind, mindfulness, moderation, modesty, noncontingent free will, objective, option, optionality, passion, pawkiness, pleasure, policy, polity, possible choice, precaution, prediction, preference, preparation, prepublication, preview, prevision, prior consultation, prospect, prospection, providence, provision, prudence, prudentialism, prudentialness, readiness, reflection, reflectiveness, regardfulness, remoteness, repression, reserve, reservedness, resolution, restraint, reticence, reticency, retirement, safeness, safety first, sagacity, say, say-so, secrecy, secretiveness, secretness, sense, sexual desire, slowness to act, solicitude, sound judgment, soundness of judgment, standoffishness, subduedness, subterfuge, suppression, tact, tentativeness, the dark, thoroughness, thoughtfulness, unaffability, unapproachability, uncommunicativeness, uncongeniality, undemonstrativeness, unexpansiveness, unprecipitateness, velleity, volition, weighing, will, will and pleasure, will power, wisdom, wish, withdrawal, withdrawnness