[v. di-skrim-uh-neyt; adj. di-skrim-uh-nit] 
verb, -nat⋅ed, -nat⋅ing, adjective | 1. | 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. |
| 2. | to note or observe a difference; distinguish accurately: to discriminate between things. |
| 3. | to make or constitute a distinction in or between; differentiate: a mark that discriminates the original from the copy. |
| 4. | to note or distinguish as different: He can discriminate minute variations in tone. |
| 5. | marked by discrimination; making or evidencing nice distinctions: discriminate people; discriminate judgments. |
| dis·crim·i·nate (dĭ-skrĭm'ə-nāt') v. dis·crim·i·nat·ed, dis·crim·i·nat·ing, dis·crim·i·nates v. intr.
[Latin discrīmināre, discrīmināt-, from discrīmen, discrīmin-, distinction; see krei- in Indo-European roots.] dis·crim'i·nate (-nĭt) adj., dis·crim'i·nate·ly adv. |
"It especially annoys me when racists are accused of 'discrimination.' The ability to discriminate is a precious facility; by judging all members of one 'race' to be the same, the racist precisely shows himself incapable of discrimination." [Christopher Hitchens]
əˌneɪt
