Discretion

//dɪˈskɹɛʃən// noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The quality of being discreet. uncountable, usually

    "Bob showed great discretion despite his knowledge of the affair."

  2. 2
    the trait of judging wisely and objectively wordnet
  3. 3
    The ability to make wise choices or decisions. uncountable, usually

    "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. 4
    the power of making free choices unconstrained by external agencies wordnet
  5. 5
    The freedom to make one's own judgements. uncountable, usually

    "I leave that to your discretion."

Show 4 more definitions
  1. 6
    knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress wordnet
  2. 7
    The freedom to make one's own judgements.; The authority to exercise one's own judgement in making decisions that have effect. uncountable, usually

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

  3. 8
    refined taste; tact wordnet
  4. 9
    freedom to act or judge on one's own wordnet

Etymology

From Middle English discrecioun, from Old French discretion, from Late Latin discrētiō, from Latin discerno. Equivalent to discreet + -ion.

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