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discreet

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discreet

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++di·screet /dɪˈskriːt/ ●○○ adjective  1 POLITEcareful about what you say or do, so that you do not offend, upset, or embarrass people or tell secrets 谨慎的,审慎的 OPP indiscreet He assured her that he would be discreet. 他向她保证会谨慎行事。 I stood back at a discreet distance. 我谨慎地保持一段距离站在后面。2 small and showing good taste or judgment – use this to show approval 雅致的〔含褒义〕 discreet jewelry 雅致的珠宝discreetly adverb
Examples from the Corpus
discreetSign language is almost essential in shops too, but it's a little less embarrassing because you can be more discreet.They were rebuked as unwise and improper by the more discreet.Chambers was discreet about the affair.We offer a discreet and personal service to our clients.He was about to kiss her again when he heard a discreet cough.Gaily followed them at a discreet distance and watched as they lowered Miss Faith Lavender into her last resting place.He followed at a discreet distance.Marshall, according to some discreet enquiries he had made, was innocent of trespass - of any kind.People might gossip if we arrived together. It would be much more discreet for us to go there separately.Andrew's very discreet -- he won't tell anyone you're leaving.Skirt lengths are a discreet inch above the knee.A private detective was sent to make discreet inquiries about Miss Hutton's financial situation.A discreet nod indicated that he was ready to leave.We were all pretty open with each other but very discreet outside.The new arrangement caused much criticism of the administrative board members, who maintained a discreet silence.
Origin discreet (1300-1400) French discret, from Latin discretus, past participle of discernere; → DISCERN
di·screet adjectiveChineseSyllable
Corpus you careful that do, so about you say or what


discreet
discreet /dɪˈskriːt/ adjective
 Date: 1300-1400
 Language: French
 Origin: discret, from Latin discretus, past participle of discernere; discern
1. careful about what you say or do, so that you do not offend, upset, or embarrass people or tell secrets
   OPP  indiscreet:
    He assured her that he would be discreet.
    I stood back at a discreet distance.
2. small and showing good taste or judgment – use this to show approval:
    discreet jewelry
—discreetly adverb


dis·creetBrE /dɪˈskriːt/ 🔊NAmE /dɪˈskriːt/ 🔊 adjectivediscreet adjective (≠ indiscreet) discretion noun (≠ indiscretion) careful in what you say or do, in order to keep sth secret or to avoid causing embarrassment or difficulty for sb (言行)谨慎的,慎重的;考虑周到的 SYN tactful He was always very discreet about his love affairs. 他对两性关系一贯谨小慎微。🔊🔊You ought to make a few discreet enquiries before you sign anything. 你应该审慎地询问清楚再签字。🔊🔊 dis·creet·ly BrE /dɪˈskriːtli/ 🔊NAmE /dɪˈskriːtli/ 🔊 adverbShe coughed discreetly to announce her presence. 她审慎地咳了一声以让人注意自己在场。🔊🔊