/
dɪˈskriːt/
adj.
(discreeter, discreetest)
careful and prudent, especially so as to avoid giving offence or attracting attention.
Derivative
- discreetly adv.
- discreetness n.
Usage
The words discrete and discreet are often confused. Discrete means ‘separate’ (a discrete unit), while discreet means ‘careful and prudent’.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. discret, from L. discretus ‘separate’, past part. of discernere ‘discern’, the sense arising from late L. discretio (see discretion).
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