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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



27 words match “DISCREET”

DISCREET a. 2 definitions
f means to ends; prudent; sagacious; judicious; not rash or heedless; cautious. It is the discreet man, not the witty, nor the learned, nor the brave, who guides the conversation, and gives measures to society. Addison. Satire 's my weapon, but I 'm too discreet To run amuck, and tilt at all I meet. Pope. The sea is si…
INDISCREET a.
Not discreet; wanting in discretion. So drunken, and so indiscreet an officer. Shak.
UNDISCREET a.
Indiscreet. Chaucer. -- Un`dis*creet"ly, adv. -- -- Un`dis*creet"ness. -- Un`dis*cre"tion, n. Indiscretion.
AMUCK a.
es in the way; to assail recklessly and indiscriminately. Satire's my weapon, but I'm too discreet To run amuck, and tilt at all I meet. Pope.
ANSWERABLE a.
ondent; conformable; hence, comparable. What wit and policy of man is answerable to their discreet and orderly course Holland. This revelation . . . was answerable to that of the apostle to the Thessalonians. Milton.
COMPARABLE a.
ared; worthy of comparison. There is no blessing of life comparable to the enjoyment of a discreet and virtuous friend. Addison. -- Com"pa*ra*ble*ness, n. -- Com"pa*ra*bly, adv.
DISCRETION n.
The quality of being discreet; wise conduct and management; cautious discernment, especially as to matters of propriety and self- control; prudence; circumspection; wariness. The better part of valor is discretion. Shak. The greatest parts without discretion may be fatal to their owner. Hume.
GYE v.
To guide; to govern. [Obs.] Discreet enough his country for to gye. Chaucer.
IMPOLITIC a.
Not politic; contrary to, or wanting in, policy; unwise; imprudent; indiscreet; inexpedient; as, an impolitic ruler, law, or measure. The most unjust and impolitic of all things, unequal taxation. Burke.
IMPRUDENT a.
Not prudent; wanting in prudence or discretion; indiscreet; injudicious; not attentive to consequence; improper. -- Im*pru"dent*ly, adv. Her majesty took a great dislike at the imprudent behavior of many of the ministers and readers. Strype.
INDISCRETE a.
Indiscreet. [Obs.] Boyle.
INDISCRETION n. 2 definitions
The quality or state of being indiscreet; want of discretion; imprudence.
INJUDICIOUS a.
Not judicious; wanting in sound judgment; undiscerning; indiscreet; unwise; as, an injudicious adviser. An injudicious biographer who undertook to be his editor and the protector of his memory. A. Murphy.
JUDICIOUS a.
Directed or governed by sound judgment; having sound judgment; wise; prudent; sagacious; discreet. He is noble, wise, judicious, and best knows The fits o' the season. Shak.
KEEPER n.
One who remains or keeps in a place or position. Discreet; chaste; keepers at home. Titus ii. 5.
LATITUDE n.
ication, application, etc.; extent of deviation from a standard, as truth, style, etc. No discreet man will believe Augustine's miracles, in the latitude of monkish relations. Fuller.
PRUDENT a.
t in action, or in determining any line of conduct; practically wise; judicious; careful; discreet; sensible; -- opposed to rash; as, a prudent man; dictated or directed by prudence or wise forethought; evincing prudence; as, prudent behavior. Moses established a grave and prudent law. Milton.
PRUDENTIAL a.
Proceeding from, or dictated or characterized by, prudence; prudent; discreet; sometimes, selfish or pecuniary as distinguished from higher motives or influences; as, prudential motives. " A prudential line of conduct." Sir W. Scott.
SEE v.
ee, see whether it be well with thy brethren. Gen. xxxvii. 14. Jesus saw that he answered discreetly. Mark xii. 34. Who 's so gross That seeth not this palpable device Shak.
SPARE a.
Sparing; frugal; parsimonious; chary. He was spare, but discreet of speech. Carew.
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