discriminate

[ verb dih-skrim-uh-neyt; adjective dih-skrim-uh-nit ]
/ verb dɪˈskrɪm əˌneɪt; adjective dɪˈskrɪm ə nɪt /

verb (used without object), dis·crim·i·nat·ed, dis·crim·i·nat·ing.

to make a distinction in favor of or against a person or thing on the basis of the group, class, or category to which the person or thing belongs rather than according to actual merit; show partiality: The new law discriminates against foreigners. He discriminates in favor of his relatives.
to note or observe a difference; distinguish accurately: to discriminate between things.

verb (used with object), dis·crim·i·nat·ed, dis·crim·i·nat·ing.

to make or constitute a distinction in or between; differentiate: a mark that discriminates the original from the copy.
to note or distinguish as different: He can discriminate minute variations in tone.

adjective

marked by discrimination; making or evidencing nice distinctions: discriminate people; discriminate judgments.

Origin of discriminate

1620–30; < Latin discrīminātus separated, past participle of discrīmināre. See discriminant, -ate1

synonym study for discriminate

3. See distinguish.

OTHER WORDS FROM discriminate

dis·crim·i·nate·ly, adverb half-dis·crim·i·nat·ed, adjective pre·dis·crim·i·nate, verb (used with object), pre·dis·crim·i·nat·ed, pre·dis·crim·i·nat·ing. un·dis·crim·i·nat·ed, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for discriminate

British Dictionary definitions for discriminate

discriminate

verb (dɪˈskrɪmɪˌneɪt)

(intr; usually foll by in favour of or against) to single out a particular person, group, etc, for special favour or, esp, disfavour, often because of a characteristic such as race, colour, sex, intelligence, etc
(when intr, foll by between or among) to recognize or understand the difference (between); distinguish to discriminate right and wrong; to discriminate between right and wrong
(intr) to constitute or mark a difference
(intr) to be discerning in matters of taste

adjective (dɪˈskrɪmɪnɪt)

showing or marked by discrimination

Derived forms of discriminate

discriminately, adverb discriminator, noun

Word Origin for discriminate

C17: from Latin discrīmināre to divide, from discrīmen a separation, from discernere to discern