discriminate

Definition of discriminate

Etymology

From Latin discriminatus, past participle of discriminare ("to divide, separate, distinguish") < discrimen ("a space between, division, separation, distinction") < discernere ("to divide, separate, distinguish, discern"); see discern, discreet, discrete. Cf. crime.

Verb

to discriminate (third-person singular simple present discriminates, present participle discriminating, simple past and past participle discriminated)

1. (intransitive) To make distinctions.
   
   Since he was colorblind he was unable to discriminate between the blue and green bottles.
   
   
2. (intransitive, construed with against) To make decisions based on prejudice.
   
   The law prohibits discriminating against people based on their skin color.

Derived terms

• discriminative

Related terms

• discriminant
• indiscriminate

See also

• distinguish
• differentiate

External links

• discriminate in Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• discriminate in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911