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discretion

[dih-skresh-uhn]

noun

the power or right to decide or act according to one's own judgment; freedom of judgment or choice: It is entirely within my discretion whether I will go or stay.

the quality of being discreet, especially with reference to one's own actions or speech; prudence or decorum: Throwing all discretion to the winds, he blurted out the truth.

Idiom

at discretion, at one's option or pleasure: They were allowed to work overtime at discretion.

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Discretion is a GRE word you need to know.

So is partisan. Does it mean:

easily angered

an adherent or supporter of a person, group, party, or cause, especially a person who shows a biased, emotional allegiance

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Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English discrecioun < Anglo-French < Late Latin discrētiōn- (stem of discrētiō). See discreet, -ion

Synonyms
2. judgment, wisdom, discrimination, sense.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To discretion

Example Sentences

The old conundrums around discretion seemed technologically obsolete.

Younger children will be admitted at the discretion of the staff.

Instead, you have been trusted to use your discretion.

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Collins

World English Dictionary

discretion (dɪˈskrɛʃən)

—n
1.	the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid social embarrassment or distress
2.	freedom or authority to make judgments and to act as one sees fit (esp in the phrases at one's own discretion, at the discretion of)
3.	age of discretion, years of discretion the age at which a person is considered to be able to manage his own affairs

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

discretion

c.1300, from L.L. discretionem (nom. discretio) "discernment, power to make distinctions," from L. discretionem "separation, distinction," from discre- stem of discernere "to separate, distinguish" (see discern). Phrase at (one's) discretion attested from 1570s; the age

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of discretion (late 14c.) in English law was 14.

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American Heritage

Idioms & Phrases

discretion

In addition to the idiom beginning with discretion, also see throw caution (discretion) to the winds.