DISCRETION • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Discretion

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/dɪskrˈɛʃən/ Listen

noun

Discretion n.

Disjunction; separation. (Obs.)

The quality of being discreet; wise conduct and management; cautious discernment, especially as to matters of propriety and self-control; prudence; circumspection; wariness. "The better part of valor is discretion." "The greatest parts without discretion may be fatal to their owner."

Discrimination. "Well spoken, with good accent and good discretion."

Freedom to act according to one's own judgment; unrestrained exercise of choice or will.

At discretion, without conditions or stipulations.

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Etymology of 'Discretion'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Discretion" Quotes from Famous Books

... power should every sagacious man use with discretion; for he will find, when among the bold he comes, that no ...

— The Elder Eddas of Saemund Sigfusson; and the Younger Eddas of Snorre Sturleson • Saemund Sigfusson and Snorre Sturleson

... worth a tenth part of the sum for which they stand responsible. The court acted with a singular want of discretion in appointing them." ...

— The Allen House - or Twenty Years Ago and Now • T. S. Arthur

... he galloped, using considerable discretion as to where he put the water so as to head ...

— Darry the Life Saver - The Heroes of the Coast • Frank V. Webster

... in the history of the State. He was a soldier by profession, and being trained to arms, looked upon the sword as the true scepter of government. "He knew when to flatter, and when to threaten. He knew when 'discretion was the better part of valor,' and when to use such force and cruelty as achieved for him from the Cherokee Indians, the bloody title of the 'Great Wolf of North Carolina.' He could use courtesy towards the Assembly when he desired large appropriations ...

— Sketches of Western North Carolina, Historical and Biographical • C. L. Hunter

... sweet a teacher as in Venice. Lucia was her first name, and her second—but a gentleman forgets second names. I can say this with all discretion, that she was of one of the senatorial families of Venice and that her grandfather had been Doge of ...

— The Adventures of Gerard • Arthur Conan Doyle

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