discreet

Meanings

• adjective

  Behaving or conducted in a way that is careful and circumspect, especially when dealing with private or sensitive matters.

  - "She handled the sensitive information with great discretion."
  - "The detective worked discreetly to avoid alerting the suspect."

• adjective

  Not noticeable or intrusive.

  - "The discreet design of the new phone makes it virtually indistinguishable from its predecessor."
  - "The discreet sound of the clock ticking filled the room."

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Pronunciation

1. /dɪˈskɹiːt/
   
   
   
   Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=308927"

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Rhymes

Words rhyming with discreet
sweet , meet , feet , sneet , replete , complete , beat

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Variants

List of all variants of discreet that leads to same result
discreet , discreeter , discreetest , discreetly , discreetness , discreetnesses

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

From Old French discrêt ‘prudent, cautious’, from dis- ‘apart’ + crêt ‘wise, sensible’.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. The word 'discreet' comes from the Old French word 'discret', which means 'wise, sensible, or prudent'.

2. The term 'discreet' has been used in English since the late 15th century.

3. In ancient Rome, the term 'discreetus' was used to describe someone who was able to keep secrets and maintain confidentiality.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. confidentiality: The practice of protecting sensitive or private information from unauthorized access or disclosure.

2. diplomacy: The practice of conducting negotiations and maintaining relations between nations, organizations, or individuals.

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Quotes

Quotes by authors and personalities

1. For a couple who wanted a "discreet" bar between the study and the living room, Quogue, New York, architect Stuart Disston designed a small-scale bar that's hidden behind … doors under the stairs and takes advantage of plumbing in an adjacent powder room.

   - Sallie Brady,{it}This Old House{/it},January/February 2006

2. Without the knowledge of the exiled African National Congress leadership, he entered into a "discreet" dialogue with the South African government—which was reaching a similar conclusion. He later succeeded in convincing suspicious comrades of the need for a negotiated solution.

   - F. W. De Klerk,{it}Time{/it},18 Apr. 2005

3. The New York Stock Exchange, meanwhile, has proposed a rule that would bar a stock-market analyst from talking to newspapers that fail to disclose the analyst's conflicts of interest. Even the C.E.O. of Goldman Sachs, one of Wall Street's most "discreet" firms, has chimed in … and has extorted his peers to restore "trust in our system."

   - {it}New Yorker{/it},9 Dec. 2002

4. "Discreet" disclaimers by the tourist board to the effect that "there is no evidence whatever that Prince Vlad Tepes (TSEH-pesh), or Vlad the Impaler, inhabited the castle" do nothing to discourage its notoriety as Dracula's reputed residence. Mythically, at least, this is in fact where he lived—and always will.

   - Erik Sandberg-Diment,{it}New York Times{/it},21 June 1998

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

In literature, 'discreet' is often used to describe characters who handle sensitive situations carefully and with tact. In art, it can refer to subtle or understated compositions. In music, it can describe a performance that is precise and well-controlled.

How to Memorize "discreet"

1. visualize
   

   - Visualize a person handling a delicate, fragile object with great care and attention, being very discreet in their movements.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the word 'discreet' with the word 'prudent' or 'wise' to help remember its meaning.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Use the mnemonic 'Discreet is a clever, prudent, and wise way to handle things'

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