13 definitions found for discretion

Discretion 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. Psa 112.
My son, keep sound wisdom and discretion. Prov 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.]

discretion 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]

discretion c.1303, from L.L. discretionem (nom. discretio) "discernment, power to make distinctions," from L. discretionem "separation, distinction," from discre- stem of discernere "to separate, distinguish" (see discern). Phrase at (one's) discretion attested from 1577; the age of discretion (1395) in English law was 14.

discretion dɪsˈkreʃən See: THROW CAUTION TO THE WINDS also THROW DISCRETION TO THE WINDS.

discretion 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

discretion
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)

discretion 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... N-UNCOUNT 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... N-UNCOUNT 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

discretion dɪsˈkreʃən 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. øat 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. øødiscretionary adj. [ME f. OF f. L discretio -onis (as DISCREET)]

Discretion Let's teach ourselves that honorable stop, Not to outsport discretion. SHAKESPEARE: Othello, Act ii., Sc. 3. It shewed discretion, the best part of valor. BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER: King and No King, Act iv., Sc. 3.

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.

discretion 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.

discretion dɪsˈkreʃən n. 1 tact, diplomacy, prudence, care, discernment, sound judgement, circumspection, sagacity, common sense, good sense, wisdom, discrimination: You can rely on my discretion not to reveal the club's secrets. 2 choice, option, judgement, preference, pleasure, disposition, volition; wish, will, liking, inclination: Buyers may subscribe to insurance cover at their own discretion.

183 Moby Thesaurus words for "discretion": 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