different between evasive vs discreet

English

Etymology

From French évasif, from Latin ?v?d?

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??ve?s?v/

Adjective

evasive (comparative more evasive, superlative most evasive)

1. Tending to avoid speaking openly or making revelations about oneself.
2. Directed towards avoidance or escape; evasive action.

Synonyms

• elusive, slippery, shifty, cagey, elusory, sly, noncommittal
• unclear, vague, equivocal, ambiguous
• tricky, deceitful, devious

Derived terms

• evasiveness
• unevasive

Translations

German

Adjective

evasive

1. inflection of evasiv:
   1. strong/mixed nominative/accusative feminine singular
   2. strong nominative/accusative plural
   3. weak nominative all-gender singular
   4. weak accusative feminine/neuter singular

Italian

Adjective

evasive

1. feminine plural of evasivo

English

Etymology

From Middle English discrete, from Old French discret, from Latin discr?tus, from past participle of discernere. Doublet of discrete.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /d??sk?i?t/
• Rhymes: -i?t
• Homophone: discrete (separable into parts)

Adjective

discreet (comparative more discreet or discreeter, superlative most discreet or discreetest)

1. Respectful of privacy or secrecy; exercising caution in order to avoid causing embarrassment; quiet; diplomatic.

   With a discreet gesture, she reminded him to mind his manners.

   John just doesn't understand that laughing at Mary all day is not very discreet.

2. Not drawing attention, anger or challenge; inconspicuous.

Usage notes

• Although cognate and identical in the Middle English period, the term has become distinct from discrete.

Derived terms

• discreetly
• discretion

Translations

Anagrams

• desertic, discrete

Dutch

Etymology

From Middle Dutch discreet, from Old French discret, from Medieval Latin discr?tus, from discern?.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /d?s?kre?t/
• Hyphenation: dis?creet
• Rhymes: -e?t

Adjective

discreet (comparative discreter, superlative discreetst)

1. discreet (with discretion)
2. discrete (not continuous)

Inflection

Derived terms

• discretie