[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/discretion/)

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# discretion

noun (discretion, uncountable)

«discretion» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Discretion is being careful not to tell secrets or upset people. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/discretion/#m1)
2. Discretion is the freedom to decide what to do: at the teacher's discretion. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/discretion/#m2)
3. (formal) Viewer discretion means take care, some things may upset you. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/discretion/#m3)
4. Discretion can also mean good judgement, being sensible and wise about what to do. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/discretion/#m4)

### In the lessons

School rules (at the head's discretion), adult life, TV warnings («viewer discretion advised»).

### Examples

- Please use discretion with this secret. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/discretion/#x1)
- Homework extensions are at the teacher's discretion. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/discretion/#x2)
- The nurse acted with discretion. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/discretion/#x3)
- Viewer discretion is advised. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/discretion/#x4)
- Leave the tip to your discretion. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/discretion/#x5)
- The doctor treated the family's news with discretion. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/discretion/#x6)
- You have genius, but no discretion. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/discretion/#x7)

### Note

Adjective: discreet (careful, not discrete = separate). Spelling: dis-CRE-tion.

## In Jewish tradition

In Proverbs it is a quality of wisdom that guards a person from harm. It is taught to the young, along with prudence and knowledge.

**Interpretation.** The tradition reads discretion as a fruit of wisdom that protects a person's lips and steps.

### Examples

- Discretion shall watch over thee, discernment shall guard thee; (Writings PRO.2.11, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/discretion/#x1)
- That thou mayest preserve discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge. (Writings PRO.5.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/discretion/#x2)
- To give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion; (Writings PRO.1.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/discretion/#x3)

### Note

Adjective: discreet (careful, not discrete = separate). Spelling: dis-CRE-tion.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «discretion» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/discretion/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«discretion» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/discretion.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «discretion» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/discretion/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«discretion» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/discretion.html) on Mova free.

