discretion English · revision 15275

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1300|origins=la discernō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /dɪˈskɹɛʃən/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|discrecioun]], [[bor|fro|discrecion|t=discretion]] and directly [[la-med|discrētiō|t=discernment, power to make distinctions]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) which in classical Latin meant separation or distinction,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) a noun formed from the past participle stem of [[m|la|discernō|t=to separate, distinguish]] (see [[discern]]).^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The ability to perceive and understand: about 1300 in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) and in Barnhart about 1303, in Robert Mannyng's Handlyng Synne, with the sense of discernment or prudence.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The word passed from the Latin idea of separating things to the power of separating ideas, that is, fine judgement, the sense it had when it reached English from French.^(Cresswell 2021) Moral discernment, the ability to tell right from wrong, is from the mid-14th century, and prudence in one's conduct from about 1400.^(Etymonline) The power to decide or act on one's own judgement is from the late 14th century,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and is the base of the phrase ''at one's discretion'', from the 1570s (earlier ''in one's discretion'').^(Etymonline) In law it is the power of a court or official to decide within the limits of the law.^(OED 1989)^(AHD) The age of discretion was 14 in English law.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1300 – ability to perceive and understand.^(Etymonline)

+ * mid-14th century – moral discernment.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1399 – liberty to act on one's own judgement.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1400 – prudence in conduct.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1570s – at one's discretion.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The quality of being [[discreet]]; [[tact]] and care not to cause offence or reveal private matters.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Freedom or authority to decide and act as one sees fit: ''at the discretion of the court''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The ability to decide responsibly; good [[judgement]].^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[discretional]]

+ * [[discretionally]]

+ * [[discretionary]]

+ * [[age of discretion]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[discern]]

+ * [[discreet]]

+ * [[discrete]]

+ * [[discriminate]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The proverb ''discretion is the better part of valour'' was familiar in Shakespeare's time; a similar idea appears in Euripides.^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}