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.
Discretional
(Dis*cre"tion*al Dis*cre"tion*a*ry) [Cf. F. discrétionnaire.] Left to discretion; unrestrained
except by discretion or judgment; as, an ambassador with discretionary powers.
Discretionally
(Dis*cre"tion*al*ly Dis*cre"tion*a*ri*ly) adv. At discretion; according to one's discretion or
judgment.
Discretive
(Dis*cre"tive) a. [L. discretivus. See Discrete.] Marking distinction or separation; disjunctive.
Discretive proposition (Logic & Gram.),
one that expresses distinction, opposition, or variety, by means
of discretive particles, as but, though, yet, etc.; as, travelers change their climate, but not their temper.
Discretively
(Dis*cre"tive*ly), adv. In a discretive manner.
Discriminable
(Dis*crim"i*na*ble) a. Capable of being discriminated. [Obs.] Bailey.
Discriminal
(Dis*crim"i*nal) a. [L. discriminalis serving to divide.] In palmistry, applied to the line which
marks the separation between the hand and the arm.
Discriminant
(Dis*crim"i*nant) n. [L. discriminans, p. pr. of discriminare.] (Math.) The eliminant of
the n partial differentials of any homogenous function of n variables. See Eliminant.
Discriminate
(Dis*crim"i*nate) a. [L. discriminatus, p. p. of discriminare to divide, separate, fr. discrimen
division, distinction, decision, fr. discernere. See Discern, and cf. Criminate.] Having the difference
marked; distinguished by certain tokens. Bacon.
Discriminate
(Dis*crim"i*nate) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Discriminated ; p. pr. & vb. n. Discriminating ] To
set apart as being different; to mark as different; to separate from another by discerning differences; to
distinguish. Cowper.
To discriminate the goats from the sheep.
Barrow. Discriminate
(Dis*crim"i*nate) v. i.
1. To make a difference or distinction; to distinguish accurately; as, in judging of evidence, we should be
careful to discriminate between probability and slight presumption.
2. (a) To treat unequally. (b) (Railroads) To impose unequal tariffs for substantially the same service.
Discriminately
(Dis*crim"i*nate*ly) adv. In a discriminating manner; distinctly.
Discriminateness
(Dis*crim"i*nate*ness), n. The state of being discriminated; distinctness.