Page 93 - WEBSTER Essential vocabulary

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Essential Vocabulary
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discretion (dis KRE shin) n. 1. the ability to decide or to choose; power to
judge or act; 2. the quality of being careful about what one does or says; prudence
• You may pay by check or by cash, at your own discretion.
• Karen snuck the chips and dip into her bedroom with discretion, so nobody
could see she was deviating from her diet.
discriminate (dis KRIM in ayt for v., dis KRIM in it for adj.) vt. 1. to recognize a
difference between; differentiate; 2. to notice the difference between; to distinguish
—vi. 1. to be discerning; 2. to treat differently; show partiality —adj. involving
making distinctions; distinguishing carefully
• Tax rates discriminate between married and single payers.
• Ralph’s fingers were sensitive enough to discriminate between apples and
pears by just touching their skins.
• While shopping for credit terms, it pays to discriminate by comparing the
terms very carefully.
• The law discriminates between keeping domestic and wild animals as pets,
generally prohibiting the latter.
• When it comes to wine, Judy has very discriminating taste (among bottles
costing $6 or less).
[-d, discriminating] [Syn. distinguish]
discussion (dis KUSH in) n. talking or writing in which the pros and cons
and/or various aspects of a subject are considered
• If you want to see the complete discussion that preceeded the passage of a
law, read The Congressional Record.
• It is important that you participate in a thorough discussion of current
events before you decide for whom to vote.
disdain* (dis DAYN) vt. to regard or treat someone/thing as beneath one’s dig-
nity; to refuse or reject with aloofness and scorn; to show contempt for —n. the
feeling, attitude, or expression of scornfulness; aloof contempt
• The cat totally disdained the dog, who was content to lie on the hard floor
rather than on the soft pile of laundry.
• Gandhi might have disdained walking among the lowest caste of the Indian
people, but he did not.
• In some industries the white-collar workers foolishly look upon the blue-
collar workers with disdain.
[-ed, -ing] [Syn. despise]
disease (diz EEZ) n. 1. any varying from healthiness; illness in general; 2. a cer-
tain destructive process in an organ or organism rooted in a particular cause; ail-
ment; 3. any harmful or destructive social condition
• At the first sign of disease, a doctor’s visit is a good idea.
• Jaundice is only one of many diseases of the liver.
• High unemployment is a disease that can cripple society.