discreet
[dih-skreet]
- judicious in one's conduct or speech, especially with regard to respecting privacy or maintaining silence about something of a delicate nature; prudent; circumspect.
- showing prudence and circumspection; decorous: a discreet silence.
- modestly unobtrusive; unostentatious: a discreet, finely wrought gold necklace.
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Origin of discreet
Synonym study
1. See careful.
Antonyms
1. indiscreet.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
simplicityreticenceproprietypuritydecencyhumilityvirtueprotectioncautionsafeguardprovisioninsurancecareattentionprudenceforesightdiscretionvigilanceinsightdiffidenceExamples from the Web for discreetness
Historical Examples
Discreetness, therefore, was instructed to reign at the Abbey.
The Ordeal of Richard Feverel, CompleteGeorge Meredith
After all, you know, I think that discreetness is just talk.
MoralLudwig Thoma
Would they be boilin' us the night wid the discreetness of 'em?
The Belted SeasArthur Colton
You were discreetness itself, and the man you called Barney was a capital actor, and a rare good fellow too.
Out of a LabyrinthLawrence L. Lynch
You may depend upon me to be discreetness itself, at least until after Dick has been safely shipped.
The SnareRafael Sabatini
discreet
- careful to avoid social embarrassment or distress, esp by keeping confidences secret; tactful
- unobtrusive
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Word Origin
C14: from Old French discret, from Medieval Latin discrētus, from Latin discernere to discern
confusable
Avoid confusion with discrete
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for discreetness
discreet
adj.
mid-14c., "morally discerning, prudent, circumspect," from Old French discret "discreet, sensible, intelligent, wise," from Latin discretus "separated, distinct," in Medieval Latin "discerning, careful," past participle of discernere "distinguish" (see discern). Meaning "separate, distinct" in English is late 14c.
Spellings discrete and nativized discreet co-existed until after c.1600, when discreet became the common word for "careful, prudent," and discrete was maintained in philosophy, medicine, music and other disciplines that remembered Latin and made effort to obey it. Related: Discreetly.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper