All 3 Uses
discretion
in
Wuthering Heights
(Edited)
- Catherine and Isabella were sitting in the library, on hostile terms, but silent: the latter alarmed at her recent indiscretion, and the disclosure she had made of her secret feelings in a transient fit of passion; the former, on mature consideration, really offended with her companion; and, if she laughed again at her pertness, inclined to make it no laughing matter to her.
p. 75.9 *indiscretion = behavior that attracts undesirable attention or reveals private informationstandard prefix: The prefix "in-" in indiscretion means not and reverses the meaning of discretion. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.
- Catherine usually sat by me, but to-day she stole nearer to Hareton; and I presently saw she would have no more discretion in her friendship than she had in her hostility.
p. 230.7 *discretion = good judgment
- I felt irresistibly impelled to escape them again; and, pressing a remembrance into the hand of Mrs. Dean, and disregarding her expostulations at my rudeness, I vanished through the kitchen as they opened the house-door; and so should have confirmed Joseph in his opinion of his fellow-servant's gay indiscretions, had he not fortunately recognised me for a respectable character by the sweet ring of a sovereign at his feet.
p. 245.6indiscretions = instances of poor judgmentstandard prefix: The prefix "in-" in indiscretions means not and reverses the meaning of discretions. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.
Definitions:
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(1)
(discretion as in: It is within her discretion.) the right to make a decision (and perhaps accompanying good judgment)
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(2)
(discretion as in: embarrassing lack of discretion) behavior that does not attract undesired attention or reveal private information
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(3)
(discretion as in: Parental discretion advised.) good judgment or good taste
- (4) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)