discreetadj.n.adv.

Etymology: < (i) Middle French, French discret, (feminine) discrète, †discrete discerning, wise, prudent (c1165 in Old French), capable of keeping secrets (early 14th cent.), also in Anglo-Norman as noun denoting a discreet or wise person, especially in an official capacity (14th cent. or earlier), and its etymon (ii) classical Latin discrētus discrete adj. in its post-classical Latin sense ‘prudent’ (6th cent.; see note). Compare Catalan discreta discerning, discriminating, wise (late 13th cent), Spanish discreto discerning, wise (a1264), Portuguese discreto (or a person) reserved, circumspect, modest, respectful of the privacy of others (13th cent.), Italian discreto wise, prudent, discerning (a1294). Compare earlier discretion n. Compare also discrete adj. and discussion at that entry.Sense development in Latin and the Romance languages. In classical Latin, discrētus is only attested in the sense ‘separate, distinct’ which gave rise to discrete adj. and the uses of French discret cited at that entry. The post-classical Latin sense ‘prudent’ may have arisen by association with the corresponding noun discrētiō , which shows similar semantic development from the act of separation, distinction, and discrimination to the faculty of discernment at an earlier date (see further discussion at discretion n.). Spelling history. In Middle English spellings in -et , -ete predominate. After discrete adj. came into widespread use from the late 16th cent., the spelling discreet (and discreete ) gradually came to predominate in senses of the present word, with discrete restricted to the scholastic and technical uses of discrete adj., reflecting its closer etymological relationship with classical Latin discrētus . The two spellings are still occasionally confused in modern use (compare forms and discussion at discrete adj. and n.).