discrimination

From Latin discrīminātiō, discrīminātiōnem, the action noun to discrīminō, discrīmināre (“distinguish”).

Learned Latinism in English use from the 17th century.

• IPA^(key): /dɪskɹɪmɪˈneɪʃən/
• Rhymes: -eɪʃən

discrimination (countable and uncountable, plural discriminations)

1. Discernment, the act of discriminating, discerning, distinguishing, noting or perceiving differences between things, with intent to understand rightly and make correct decisions.
2. The act of recognizing the 'good' and 'bad' in situations and choosing good.
3. (sometimes discrimination against) Distinct treatment of an individual or group to their disadvantage; treatment or consideration based on class or category rather than individual merit; partiality; prejudice; bigotry.

   Hyponyms: heterosexism, ageism, ableism, xenophobia, racism, sexism, classism, religionism, homophobia

   sexual or racial discrimination

   reverse discrimination

4. The quality of being discriminating, acute discernment, specifically in a learning situation; as to show great discrimination in the choice of means.
5. That which discriminates; mark of distinction, a characteristic.

• stereotype
• bias
• racism

From Latin discrimīnatiō, discrimīnatiōnem. Synchronically, from discriminer +‎ -ation.

• IPA^(key): /dis.kʁi.mi.na.sjɔ̃/

• Audio

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• Rhymes: -asjɔ̃

discrimination f (plural discriminations)

1. discrimination, distinction

   discrimination positive ― reverse discrimination, affirmative action

• discriminatoire

• “discrimination” in le Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).