Words of the Day
I had no idea that discreet and discrete are two discrete words until yesterday.
discreet
Pronunciation: di-'skrEt
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French discret, from Medieval Latin discretus, from Latin, past participle of discernere to separate, distinguish between -- more at DISCERN
1 : having or showing discernment or good judgment in conduct and especially in speech : PRUDENT; especially : capable of preserving prudent silence
2 : UNPRETENTIOUS, MODEST the warmth and discreet elegance of a civilized home -- Joseph Wechsberg
3 : UNOBTRUSIVE, UNNOTICEABLE followed at a discreet distance
discrete
Pronunciation: dis-'krEt, 'dis-"
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin discretus
1 : constituting a separate entity : individually distinct
2 a : consisting of distinct or unconnected elements : NONCONTINUOUS b : taking on or having a finite or countably infinite number of values discrete probabilities a discrete random variable
synonym see DISTINCT
discreet
Pronunciation: di-'skrEt
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French discret, from Medieval Latin discretus, from Latin, past participle of discernere to separate, distinguish between -- more at DISCERN
1 : having or showing discernment or good judgment in conduct and especially in speech : PRUDENT; especially : capable of preserving prudent silence
2 : UNPRETENTIOUS, MODEST the warmth and discreet elegance of a civilized home -- Joseph Wechsberg
3 : UNOBTRUSIVE, UNNOTICEABLE followed at a discreet distance
discrete
Pronunciation: dis-'krEt, 'dis-"
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin discretus
1 : constituting a separate entity : individually distinct
2 a : consisting of distinct or unconnected elements : NONCONTINUOUS b : taking on or having a finite or countably infinite number of values discrete probabilities a discrete random variable
synonym see DISTINCT