From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Discreet \Dis*creet"\, adjective [Compar. {Discreeter}; superl. {Discreetest}.] [F. discret, L. discretus separated (whence the meaning reserved, prudent), p. p. of discernere. See {Discern}, and cf. {Discrete}.]
1. Possessed of discernment, especially in avoiding error or evil, and in the adaptation of 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 silent, the sea is discreet. --Longfellow.
2. Differing; distinct. [Obs.] --Spenser. -- {Dis*creet"ly}, adverb -- {Dis*creet"ness}, noun
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
adverb
1: with discretion; prudently and with wise self-restraint; "I sent for the sergeant of the platoon both men were in and asked him to try to find out discreetly what lay behind this" [ant: {indiscreetly}]
From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:
33 Moby Thesaurus words for "discreetly": artfully, astutely, cannily, carefully, cautiously, circumspectly, cleverly, considerately, cunningly, discerningly, easy, gingerly, guardedly, heedfully, intelligently, judiciously, knowingly, mindfully, pawkily, providently, prudently, rationally, reasonably, regardfully, sagaciously, sensibly, shrewdly, smartly, thoughtfully, understandingly, wisely, with care, with caution
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