noun
Meaning 1
The state or quality of being discreet.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Standard Lemma guide
discreetness
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.
noun
Meaning 2
subtly skillful handling of a situation
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: delicacy, diplomacy, finesse
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: tact, tactfulness
noun
Meaning 3
knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- the servants showed great tact and discretion
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: discretion, circumspection, prudence
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: sagacity, sagaciousness, judgment, judgement, discernment
Narrower terms: confidentiality
History
Etymology
Etymology tree English discreet Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English discreetness From discreet + -ness.