discremination

Noun

discrimination (countable and uncountable, plural discriminations)

1. Discernment, the act of discriminating, discerning, distinguishing, noting or perceiving differences between things, with the intent to understand rightly and make correct decisions.
   • Have you felt the weight of the considerations which have been presented, in order to show the importance of discrimination on the subject of revealed truth?1846, Henry Hollis, Christian Discrimination; Or, A Discourse on the Things in Religion which Differ, page 86

   Synonyms:

   differentiation

2. (sometimes) Differential treatment of an individual or group to their disadvantage; treatment or consideration based on class or category rather than individual merit; partiality; prejudice; bigotry.
   • sexual or racial discrimination
3. (uncountable) The quality of being discriminating; acute discernment, especially in matters of good taste.
   • Near-synonym: tastefulness

   Synonyms:

   tastefulness

4. (countable, obsolete) That which discriminates; a distinguishing mark, a characteristic.
   • He who has not made the experiment, or who is not accustomed to require rigorous accuracy from himself, will scarcely believe how much a few hours take from certainty of knowledge, and distinctness of imagery; how the succession of objects will be broken, how separate parts will be confused, and...1775, Samuel Johnson, A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland - Volume 1, page 239