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“discreet”
discreet (dis KREET) (adjective), more discreet, most discreet
1. A reference to being careful to avoid embarrassing situations or upsetting another person: While waiting for a table at the elegant restaurant, Sally spoke to her mother in a very quiet and discreet tone of voice saying that her slip was hanging down below her dress.
2. Pertaining to not talking about anything that should be secret or confidential: The Jacksons invited their neighbors over for tea in the afternoon and they were very discreet and avoided asking about their daughter's recent divorce, knowing it was a painful subject.
3. Tactful and judicious; especially, in dealing with others; careful not to say or to do the wrong thing: Isaac made discreet inquiries about his daughter's bank account so she wouldn't spend more than is deposited in it.
4. Subtle and circumspect, ensuring that no undue attention distracts others: A photographer followed the bride and groom at a discreet distance so he wouldn't interfere with the wedding ceremony.
5. Etymology: from Latin, discernere, "to separate, to discern"; from dis-, "apart" + cerno, "pick".
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2. Pertaining to not talking about anything that should be secret or confidential: The Jacksons invited their neighbors over for tea in the afternoon and they were very discreet and avoided asking about their daughter's recent divorce, knowing it was a painful subject.
3. Tactful and judicious; especially, in dealing with others; careful not to say or to do the wrong thing: Isaac made discreet inquiries about his daughter's bank account so she wouldn't spend more than is deposited in it.
4. Subtle and circumspect, ensuring that no undue attention distracts others: A photographer followed the bride and groom at a discreet distance so he wouldn't interfere with the wedding ceremony.
5. Etymology: from Latin, discernere, "to separate, to discern"; from dis-, "apart" + cerno, "pick".
Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
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This entry is located in the following units:
cern-, cert-, cer-; cret-, creet-, cre-
(page 3)
dis-, di-, dif-
(page 12)
discreet, discrete
discreet (di SKREET) (adjective)
Marked by using wise reserve in one's speech or conduct; characteristic of being prudent and carefu: The university president was discreet as she spoke to the visitors.
Nola's friends could always rely her to be discreet.
Nola's friends could always rely her to be discreet.
discrete (di SKREET) (adjective)
Constituting a separate thing; distinct: There is a discrete difference between the two sisters because Jane is quite outgoing and Grace is very quiet and reserved.
The teacher presented a number of discrete categories for the students to learn.
The teacher presented a number of discrete categories for the students to learn.
There is a discrete difference in the two neighborhoods; so, we must be discreet when we are talking with the local residents.
This entry is located in the following unit:
Confusing Words Clarified: Group D; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, Polysemes, etc. +
(page 5)
Word Entries at Get Words:
“discreet”
Relating to being careful to avoid embarrassing situations or upsetting another person. (2)
This entry is located in the following unit:
Word a Day Revisited Index of Cartoons Illustrating the Meanings of Words
(page 30)