Etymologically
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discretus

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [dɪsˈkreː.tʊs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [disˈkrɛː.tus][1]

Forms

discrētus (feminine discrēta, neuter discrētum); first/second-declension adjective[1]

Etymology

It is the perfect passive participle of discernō “to separate, distinguish”, used as an adjective.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Varro, of what is set apart.[2] Köbler dates Varro 116–27 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant placed apart, separate, as in Varro, and in Celsus distinguished, differentiated.[2]

In Late Latin it meant discerning, prudent, as in Gregory's discrētissima dispēnsātiō.[5] Medieval Latin used it for distinct, different, uncommon, outstanding, and discreet, prudent.[6] It survives in Italian discreto and French discret, and Old French discret gave English discreet in the late 14th century, “morally discerning, prudent”, and English discrete “separate”.[1][3]

Timeline

  • 116–27 BC – Varro uses it of the separate.[2][4]
  • 14–37 AD – Celsus uses it of the distinguished.[2][4]
  • late 14th century – English discreet and discrete are recorded.[3]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Separate, apart.[2]
  2. Distinguished, differentiated.[2]
  3. (Late Latin) Discreet, prudent.[5][6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b Thesaurus linguae Latinae (1900–), Leipzig: Teubner; Berlin: De Gruyter; open-access ed., Munich: Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
  6. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill