discreet

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English

Etymology

From Middle English discrete, from Old French discret, from Latin discrētus, from past participle of discernere. Doublet of discrete.

Pronunciation

Adjective

discreet (comparative more discreet or discreeter, superlative most discreet or discreetest)

  1. Respectful of privacy or secrecy; exercising caution in order to avoid causing embarrassment; quiet; diplomatic.
    With a discreet gesture, she reminded him to mind his manners.
    John just doesn't understand that laughing at Mary all day is not very discreet.
  2. Not drawing attention, anger or challenge; inconspicuous.

Usage notes

  • Although cognate and identical in the Middle English period, the term has become distinct from discrete.

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

Anagrams

Dutch

Etymology

From Middle Dutch discreet, from Old French discret, from Medieval Latin discrētus, from discernō.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /dɪsˈkreːt/
  • Audio(file)
  • Hyphenation: dis‧creet
  • Rhymes: -eːt

Adjective

discreet (comparative discreter, superlative discreetst)

  1. discreet (with discretion)
  2. discrete (not continuous)

Inflection

Inflection of discreet
uninflected discreet
inflected discrete
comparative discreter
positive comparative superlative
predicative/adverbial discreet discreter het discreetst
het discreetste
indefinite m./f. sing. discrete discretere discreetste
n. sing. discreet discreter discreetste
plural discrete discretere discreetste
definite discrete discretere discreetste
partitive discreets discreters —

Derived terms

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