discreet
English edit
Etymology edit
From Middle English discrete, from Old French discret, from Latin discrētus, from past participle of discernere. Doublet of discrete.
Pronunciation edit
Adjective edit
discreet (comparative more discreet or discreeter, superlative most discreet or discreetest)
- Respectful of privacy or secrecy; exercising caution in order to avoid causing embarrassment; quiet; diplomatic.
- With a discreet gesture, she reminded him to mind his manners.
- John just doesn't understand that laughing at Mary all day is not very discreet.
- Not drawing attention, anger or challenge; inconspicuous.
Usage notes edit
- Although cognate and identical in the Middle English period, the term has become distinct from discrete.
Derived terms edit
Related terms edit
Translations edit
respectful of privacy or secrecy; quiet; diplomatic
|
not drawing attention, anger or challenge; inconspicuous
|
Anagrams edit
Dutch edit
Etymology edit
From Middle Dutch discreet, from Old French discret, from Medieval Latin discrētus, from discernō.
Pronunciation edit
Adjective edit
discreet (comparative discreter, superlative discreetst)
Inflection edit
Inflection of discreet | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
uninflected | discreet | |||
inflected | discrete | |||
comparative | discreter | |||
positive | comparative | superlative | ||
predicative/adverbial | discreet | discreter | het discreetst het discreetste | |
indefinite | m./f. sing. | discrete | discretere | discreetste |
n. sing. | discreet | discreter | discreetste | |
plural | discrete | discretere | discreetste | |
definite | discrete | discretere | discreetste | |
partitive | discreets | discreters | — |