dis·creet
[dih-skreet] Show IPA
adjective
1.
judicious in one's conduct or speech, especially with regard to respecting privacy or maintainingsilence about something of a delicate nature; prudent; circumspect.
2.
showing prudence and circumspection; decorous: a discreet silence.
3.
modestly unobtrusive; unostentatious: a discreet, finely wrought gold necklace.
Origin:
1325–75; Middle English discret < Anglo-French, Old French < Medieval Latin discrētus, Latin: separated(past participle of discernere; see discern), equivalent to dis- dis-1 + crē- separate, distinguish (variantstem of cernere ) + -tus past participle suffix
1325–75; Middle English discret < Anglo-French, Old French < Medieval Latin discrētus, Latin: separated(past participle of discernere; see discern), equivalent to dis- dis-1 + crē- separate, distinguish (variantstem of cernere ) + -tus past participle suffix
Related forms
dis·creet·ly, adverb
dis·creet·ness, noun
o·ver·dis·creet, adjective
o·ver·dis·creet·ly, adverb
o·ver·dis·creet·ness, noun
Antonyms
1. indiscreet.
1. indiscreet.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To discreet
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Discreet is an SAT word you need to know.
So is contempt. Does it mean:
| the feeling with which a person regards anything considered mean, vile, or worthless; disdain; scorn. |
| theoretical;not concrete |
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World English Dictionary
discreet (dɪˈskriːt) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_si_qcP2YJ0YPdpmLHXxbLomb2lUj6MAWs6aiN1129Lp6Xz5ag_1IemEDUNmDjO58oE9CQKGQtAXE-hf-sjwuoCZ2NQqabWKZyzCf6HdMwhaEz1o2r88gYR4G_2_Q2V5ZU5YIRRIYPdhh-I12iAdag=s0-d) | |
| — adj | |
| 1. | careful to avoid social embarrassment or distress, esp by keeping confidences secret; tactful |
| 2. | unobtrusive |
| [C14: from Old French discret, from Medieval Latin discrētus, from Latin discernere to | |
| dis'creetly | |
| — adv | |
| dis'creetness | |
| — n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
discreet
mid-14c., from O.Fr. discret, from L. discretus "separated, distinct," in M.L. "discerning, careful," from pp.of discernere "distinguish" (see discern). Spellings discrete and nativized discreet co-existed until afterc.1600, when discreet became the common word for "careful,
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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