discretionallyadv.

1655 J. Cook Let. in MS Rawlinson A. 189 f. 393 If the Judge Pronounce an Unrighteous Sentence,..lett him make Satisfaction, so if he Transgresse the Law in any kind, but in matters Preparatory and Circumstantiall, it must be discretionally and as the Judge shall determine.

1695 G. Hooper Disc. Lent ii. ii. iv. 427 Others [sc. days] were also added, but discretionally, as several Persons thought fit, and several Churches directed.

1714 N. Marshall Penitential Discipline Primitive Church ii. 64 The Bishops..acted herein discretionally, 'till Rules were gradually form'd upon Precedents.

1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison VI. xviii. 85 I always mean to include my dear Lady L...: Any-body else, but discretionally.

1837 T. De Quincey Revolt of Tartars in Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. July 91/2 Setting aside discretionally whatsoever should arise to disturb his plots.

1887 Atlantic Reporter 7 886 This lowered the grade of the offense from one necessarily punishable by life imprisonment to one only discretionally so punishable.

1938 Southwestern Hist. Q. 41 285 Centralization of power within the national government was promoted by restoring the president's power to remove public servants discretionally.

1976 G. Sartori Parties & Party Syst. vii. 231 A hegemonic party system..is, at best, a two-level system in which one party tolerates and discretionally allocates a fraction of its power to subordinate political groups.

2011 Arizona Capitol Times (Nexis) 25 Feb. Molera said Hull used the non-custodial federal funds—money that can be used discretionally—to pay for agencies and programs she supported.