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Discrete vs Discretionary - What's the difference?

discrete | discretionary |

As adjectives the difference between discrete and discretionary

is that discrete is while discretionary is available at one's discretion; able to be used as one chooses; left to or regulated by one's own discretion or judgment.

discrete

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Separate; distinct; individual; non-continuous.
  • That can be perceived individually and not as connected to, or part of something else.
  • (electrical engineering) Having separate electronic components, such as individual resistors and inductors — the opposite of integrated circuitry.
  • (audio engineering) Having separate and independent channels of audio, as opposed to multiplexed stereo or quadraphonic, or other multi-channel sound.
  • (topology) Having each singleton subset open: said of a topological space or a topology.
  • disjunctive; containing a disjunctive or discretive clause
  • "I resign my life, but not my honour" is a discrete proposition.

    Usage notes

    * Often confused with discreet.

    Derived terms

    * discrete variable * discreteness

    Antonyms

    * continuous * (electrical engineering) integrated * (audio engineering) multiplexed

    Anagrams

    * ----

    discretionary

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Available at one's discretion; able to be used as one chooses; left to or regulated by one's own discretion or judgment.
  • discretionary income
    discretionary powers

    Derived terms

    * discretionary spending * nondiscretionary * nondiscretionary spending

    See also

    * abuse