[dɪˈskrɛʃn], (Noun)

Definitions:
- the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offence or revealing confidential information
(e.g: she knew she could rely on his discretion)

- the freedom to decide what should be done in a particular situation
(e.g: local authorities should use their discretion in setting the charges)


Phrases:
- discretion is the better part of valour

Origin:
Middle English (in the sense ‘discernment’): via Old French from Latin discretio(n-) ‘separation’ (in late Latin ‘discernment’), from discernere (see discern)