discriminate
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discriminate
- /dɪˈskɹɪm.ɪ.neɪt/ UK
- /dɪˈskɹɪm.əˌneɪt/ US
- /dɪˈskɹɪm.əˌnæɪt/ Australia
- /dɪˈskɹɪm.ɪ.nət/ UK
Where it comes from
First attested in 1615; borrowed from Latin discrīminātus, perfect passive participle of discrīminō (“to divide, separate, distinguish”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from discrīmen (“a space between, division, separation, distinction”), from discernō (“to divide, separate, distinguish, discern”). By surface analysis, dis- + criminate.
verb discriminates · discriminating · discriminated
- To make distinctions. Since he was color blind he was unable to discriminate between the blue and green bottles.
- To treat or affect differently, depending on differences in traits. Low self-esteem can affect both rich and poor people: it doesn't discriminate.
- To make decisions harmful to (a person or group) based on prejudice. The law prohibits discriminating against people based on their skin color.
- To infringe upon (a person's rights) in a prejudicial manner. The ordinance condones immorality and discriminates against my children's rights to grow up in a healthy, decent community.
- To set apart as being different; to mark as different; to separate from another by discerning differences; to distinguish. To discriminate the goats from the sheep.
Similar: differentiate
adjective more discriminate · most discriminate
- Having its differences marked; distinguished by certain tokens. Nevertheless it is certain, that oisters, and cockles, and mussels, which move not, have no discriminate sex
