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
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, adjectiveWords nearby discriminate
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, nounWord Origin for discriminate
C17: from Latin
discrīmināre to divide, from
discrīmen a separation, from
discernere to
discern