Discretion
/dɪˈskrɛʃ.ən/noun
The quality of being careful about what one says or does, or the freedom to decide what should be done in a situation.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Latin *discretio*, from *discernere* meaning “to separate, distinguish,” which is the same root family behind *discern*—so discretion was originally about the power to tell things apart, not just keep quiet.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ḱer-
“to separate, sift, decide”
Latin
Latin
cernere
“to sift, separate, distinguish, decide”
Latin
Latin
discernere
“to separate apart, distinguish clearly”
Late Latin
Latin
discretio
“distinction, discernment, separation”
Old French
Old French
discrétion
“judgment, prudence, discretion”
Middle English
English
discrecioun
“prudence, careful judgment”
Modern English
English
discretion
“careful judgment in making decisions or in speech and conduct”