All 3 Uses of
discreet
in
A Room With A View
- And all the time three little bundles lay discreetly on the sward, proclaiming: "No. We are what matters.†
Chpt 12 *discreetly = in a manner that is unlikely to attract attention or cause embarrassment
- You are conscious of having said something indiscreet?†
Chpt 8indiscreet = not trustworthy, or improper, or attracting unwelcome attentionstandard prefix: The prefix "in-" in indiscreet means not and reverses the meaning of discreet. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.
- No, I have said nothing indiscreet.†
Chpt 8
Definitions:
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(1)
(discreet as in: discreet--not showy or gossipy) trustworthy with secrets or subtle (not attracting attention)This sense of discreet sometimes indicates that something is small (so as not to attract attention) as in "discreet earrings."
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(2)
(discreet as in: discreet--not foolish) sensible and careful; possibly having good mannersThis sense of discreet is more commonly seen in classic literature than in modern writing. There is may also refer to having the judgment to exercise good manners.