discretion

From Middle English discrecioun, from Old French discretion, from Late Latin discrētiō, from Latin discerno.

• IPA^(key): /dɪˈskɹɛʃən/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

discretion (usually uncountable, plural discretions)

1. Individual justice from experience in quality of perception: discrete.

   The police came and searched us at their discretion because we were shouting at each other's faces.

2. The quality of being discreet.

   Bob showed great discretion despite his knowledge of the affair.

3. The ability to make wise choices or decisions.
   • 1838, Thomas Edlyne Tomlins, A Popular Law-Dictionary:

     With regard to a woman, at nine years of age, she was, if married, considered entitled to her dower; at twelve, she may consent to marriage; at fourteen, she is at years of discretion, and may choose a guardian; […]

4. The freedom to make one's own judgements.

   I leave that to your discretion.

• indiscretion

• cretinoids, directions, doctrinise

• discrecion

discretion oblique singular, f (oblique plural discretions, nominative singular discretion, nominative plural discretions)

1. discretion (ability to make one's own judgments)
   • 1377, Bernard de Gordon, Fleur de lis de medecine (a.k.a. lilium medicine):

     l’ung ou l’autre selon la discretion du medicin.

     one or the other according to the discretion of the doctor.