discretionary etymology

Etymology

Latin:

• discretus ("separated, distinct")

Meaning

Adjective:

• Exercised or granted at one's own judgment or choice
• Not obligatory or mandatory
• Subject to individual discretion

Origin

The word "discretionary" originates from the Latin word discretus, which primarily meant "separated" or "distinct." This sense of distinction evolved into the concept of making judgments or decisions based on one's own discernment and discretion.

In the 14th century, "discretionary" was first used in English to describe actions or decisions made at the discretion of an individual. Over time, the term expanded to encompass situations where choices were not dictated by rules or external factors.

Examples

• Discretionary spending (expenditures that are not essential)
• Discretionary powers (granted to individuals to make decisions based on their own judgment)
• Discretionary sentence (issued by a judge within a range of possible punishments)

discretionary relate terms

• discretion

  Etymology The word discretion comes from the Middle English word discrecioun which

• discern

  Etymology Origin Latin Root Word Discernere Meaning To see apart to distinguish Me

• amerce

  Etymology Middle English amercien from Anglo Norman French amercier from Old French

• isomorphism

  Etymology Iso Greek equal same or alike morph Greek form ism Greek

• receptionist

  Etymology Receptionist originates from the French word réception which means act

• mercy

  Etymology Old French merci Late Latin merces reward payment Proto Indo European

• hangover

  Etymology Hangover First recorded in 1809 Derived from the Middle English hangove m

• militia

  Etymology The word militia derives from the Latin noun miles meaning soldier whi

• dwarf

  Etymology The word dwarf comes from the Old Norse word dvergr which is related to t

• top notch

  Etymology Top notch is an idiom that originated in the 1800s The term notch refers