Where does “discretion” come from?
discretion (Old French) comes from Late Latin discretio, from Latin discernō, from Latin dis-, from Latin calceus, from Latin calx, from Ancient Greek χάλιξ — small stone, pebble; gravel, rubble.
discretion (Old French): discretion (ability to make one's own judgments)
Definitions
- discretion (ability to make one's own judgments)
Ancestry of “discretion”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Late Latin | discretio | separation; difference, distinction; discernment,... |
| 2 | Latin | discernō | to separate, set apart, divide, part |
| 3 | Latin | dis- | asunder, apart, in two; reversal, removal;... |
| 4 | Latin | calceus | shoe |
| 5 | Latin | calx | limestone; chalk; the finish line |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | χάλιξ | small stone, pebble; gravel, rubble |