All 3 Uses of
discretion
in
The Idiot
- He crept up and read over Ptitsin's shoulder, with the air of a naughty boy who expects a box on the ear every moment for his indiscretion.†
Chpt 1.15 *indiscretion = behavior that displays a lack of good judgmentstandard 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.
- "Oh, my dear prince," cried the general, who was now so intoxicated with his own narrative that he probably could not have pulled up at the most patent indiscretion.†
Chpt 4.4
- Nastasia, however, was behaving with great discretion on the whole.†
Chpt 2.11 *
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