discretion
dis kre shuhn
- n freedom to act or judge on one's own
- n knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress
the servants showed great tact and discretion - n refined taste; tact
- n the power of making free choices unconstrained by external agencies
- n the trait of judging wisely and objectively
- The less serious a crime, the more officer discretion you use," he says, adding "discretion is judgment that we hope is based on wisdom, experience and training.
- We rely on prosecutors to exercise discretion.
- For seven successive years (1947-53) Congress tacked on to the State Department Appropriation Act a rider giving the Secretary of State "absolute discretion" to fire any State.