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Discriminate

//dɪˈskɹɪm.ɪ.neɪt// adj, verb

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Having its differences marked; distinguished by certain tokens.

    "Nevertheless it is certain, that oisters, and cockles, and mussels, which move not, have no discriminate sex"

Adjective
  1. 1
    marked by the ability to see or make fine distinctions wordnet
Verb
  1. 1
    To make distinctions. intransitive

    "Since he was color blind he was unable to discriminate between the blue and green bottles."

  2. 2
    recognize or perceive the difference wordnet
  3. 3
    To treat or affect differently, depending on differences in traits.

    "Low self-esteem can affect both rich and poor people: it doesn't discriminate."

  4. 4
    distinguish wordnet
  5. 5
    To treat or affect differently, depending on differences in traits.; To make decisions harmful to (a person or group) based on prejudice. intransitive

    "The law prohibits discriminating against people based on their skin color."

Show 3 more definitions
  1. 6
    treat differently on the basis of sex or race wordnet
  2. 7
    To treat or affect differently, depending on differences in traits.; To infringe upon (a person's rights) in a prejudicial manner. intransitive, uncommon

    "The ordinance condones immorality and discriminates against my children's rights to grow up in a healthy, decent community."

  3. 8
    To set apart as being different; to mark as different; to separate from another by discerning differences; to distinguish. transitive

    "To discriminate the goats from the sheep."

Etymology

Etymology 1

First attested in 1615; borrowed from Latin discrīminātus, perfect passive participle of discrīminō (“to divide, separate, distinguish”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from discrīmen (“a space between, division, separation, distinction”), from discernō (“to divide, separate, distinguish, discern”).

Etymology 2

First attested in 1615; borrowed from Latin discrīminātus, perfect passive participle of discrīminō (“to divide, separate, distinguish”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from discrīmen (“a space between, division, separation, distinction”), from discernō (“to divide, separate, distinguish, discern”).

See also for "discriminate"

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