Here’s an example of discreet and discrete used correctly in a sentence.Įxample: He mistakenly thought the two parts were discrete, but I told him that they are in fact connected-in a discreet way, of course. In discrete, the two e’s are kept separate by the t in the middle. Here’s a fun way to remember the difference: in discreet, the two e’s are right next to each other-the one e looks like it’s discreetly whispering something in the other’s ear. It has more specific meanings in the context of math and statistics. When you’re being discreet, you’re showing discretion.ĭiscrete, on the other hand, is typically used in technical, non-personal contexts. ![]() In all cases, the word discreet is used in situations in which an effort is made to avoid calling attention to someone or something. Less commonly, discreet can also mean unobtrusive-a modest necklace may be described as discreet. Discrete means separate or distinct, as in discrete concepts or discrete parts. It wasn’t until the late 16th century that discrete became restricted to its present meanings, leaving the spelling discreet to predominate in its own current uses.ĭiscreet most commonly means tactful, prudent, or careful to avoid revealing things that may cause embarrassment, such as when communicating sensitive information, as in a discreet message or You can tell her, but be discreet about it. The Middle English Dictionary has two senses at the headword discrēt(e): the sense “wise, morally discerning, prudent, circumspect” has 29 citations the sense “separate, distinct” has four (in angelology, astronomy, and mathematics). ![]() The spelling discrete is closer in form to Latin discrētus and is probably an attempt to differentiate discreet from discrete. Discrete, “apart or detached from others separate distinct,” was originally a spelling doublet of discreet, sharing meanings and both deriving from the same Latin source. ![]() Discreet, meaning “judicious, prudent, modest,” comes partly from Middle French discret “prudent, discerning,” used in Anglo-French in the sense “wise person.” The Latin source was discrētus, past participle of the verb discernere “to separate, distinguish, mark off, show differences between.” In Late Latin discrētus also acquired the sense “prudent, wise,” possibly arising from association with the noun discrētiō, which shows a similar semantic development: physical separation to discernment to capacity to discern.
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