Definitions
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
- adj. Marked by, exercising, or showing prudence and wise self-restraint in speech and behavior; circumspect.
- adj. Free from ostentation or pretension; modest.
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- Distinct; distinguishable; discrete. See discrete, the usual spelling in this sense.
- Wise or judicious in avoiding mistakes or faults, or in selecting the best means to accomplish a purpose; prudent; circumspect; cautious; wary; not rash.
- Civil; polite.
- Synonyms See list under cautious.
Wiktionary
- adj. Respectful of privacy or secrecy; quiet; diplomatic.
- adj. Not drawing attention, anger or challenge; inconspicuous.
GNU Webster's 1913
- adj. Possessed of discernment, especially in avoiding error or evil, and in the adaptation of means to ends; prudent; sagacious; judicious; not rash or heedless; cautious.
- adj. Differing; distinct.
WordNet 3.0
- adj. unobtrusively perceptive and sympathetic
- adj. marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint
- adj. heedful of potential consequences
Etymologies
- Middle English, from Old French discret, from Medieval Latin discrētus, from Latin, past participle of discernere, to separate, discern; see discern.
Examples
“He's good at memorizing conversations, and some guys weren't so what you call discreet talking around him.”
White Jazz
“Some areas for the ladies to consider: hair cut, color, makeup, shoes, purses, clothing, jewelry and certain discreet cultural factors.”
“Years afterward, when she and Sharpton had become close friends, he recalled her discreet observation that he had lost weight and stopped wearing track suits.”
“The industry assumes that moviegoers will not accept gay actors playing straight leads, and agents and managers routinely insist that their gay clients remain discreet, which isn't easy in today's world of tabloid snoops.”
“For most of its 45 years, it's been known as a discreet retreat for the wild and famous: Courtney Love wrote a song about the place, Brad Pitt moved in when he and Jennifer Aniston split and, most famously, '60s rock icon Janis Joplin spent the last year of her life there.”
“Until May 18 www. hamburger-kunsthalle.de Hamburg art Now in its sixth year, the Bucerius Kunst Forum, next to Hamburg's Rathaus in the city's main square, specializes in what could be called discreet blockbusters -- subtly curated exhibitions of broad appeal, which bring together works from major and minor museums, as well as private collections.”
“Jervis, and Davies; certainly of the three Davies is the only one who can be called discreet, and he was the only one who had not been on scout or detached service of this character since he joined.”
“Before I met this dear little Flora, I had a fair prospect of living and dying a respectable and respected old fogy, as you irreverent reformers call discreet people.”
“Whereas other enclosures have hinges simply bolted onto the side walls, the Alucase hinges are described as discreet extensions of the main profile of the case, achieving a modern and professional look.”
“Obama officials are under pressure from what European diplomats in Washington describe as a discreet but outspoken campaign of "quiet fury" from America's closest allies.”
Lists
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