different between discreet vs timid

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

English

Etymology

From Middle French timide, from Latin timidus (“full of fear, fearful, timid”), from time? (“I fear”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?t?m?d/

Adjective

timid (comparative timider, superlative timidest)

1. Lacking in courage or confidence.

   Synonyms: fearful, timorous, shy; see also Thesaurus:cautious, Thesaurus:shy

   Antonyms: daredevil, dauntless, bellicose, reckless, aggressive

Derived terms

• timidly
• timidness

Related terms

• intimidate
• intimidation
• timidity

Translations

Further reading

• timid in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• timid in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

Anagrams

• dimit

Ibaloi

Noun

timid

1. (anatomy) chin

Ilocano

Noun

timid

1. (anatomy) chin

Romanian

Etymology

Borrowed from French timide and Latin timidus.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ti?mid/

Adjective

timid m or n (feminine singular timid?, masculine plural timizi, feminine and neuter plural timide)

1. timid, shy

Declension

Related terms

• timiditate