The Collaborative International Dictionary
Discreet \Dis*creet"\, a. [Compar. Discreeter; superl. Discreetest.] [F. discret, L. discretus separated (whence the meaning reserved, prudent), p. p. of discernere. See Discern, and cf. Discrete.]
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Possessed of discernment, especially in avoiding error or evil, and in the adaptation of means to ends; prudent; sagacious; judicious; not rash or heedless; cautious.
It is the discreet man, not the witty, nor the learned, nor the brave, who guides the conversation, and gives measures to society.
--Addison.Satire 's my weapon, but I 'm too discreet To run amuck, and tilt at all I meet.
--Pope.The sea is silent, the sea is discreet.
--Longfellow. Differing; distinct. [Obs.]
--Spenser. -- Dis*creet"ly, adv. -- Dis*creet"ness, n.
Wiktionary
adv. 1 Acting in a discreet manner; one that respects privacy or secrecy; quietly; diplomatically. 2 inconspicuously.
WordNet
adv. with discretion; prudently and with wise self-restraint; "I sent for the sergeant of the platoon both men were in and asked him to try to find out discreetly what lay behind this" [ant: indiscreetly]
Usage examples of "discreetly".
Some ten minutes later, as the CBA anchorman entered the streets of Larchmont, the Ford Tempo followed discreetly at a distance, stopping well short of the Sloane house which was located on Park Avenue, facing Long Island Sound.
I allowed myself a moment to savor her unaccustomed elegance and realized she was enticing the knot of eager and noble youth around her to wager on the fall of a delicate set of applewood runes, tucking silver and gold coin discreetly into the little velvet bag on a ribbon at her waist.
Even when Pukpuk, conscience-stricken at having been the instrument of his betrayal and downfall, took to dropping in with little presents of fresh catnip and, when they could be discreetly whispered, words of affection and concern from Lali, he was in no way heartened.
King of Divs was likewise streaked with shadow, but as I very discreetly slipped past him I could see that he was not in one of his more attractive aspects that evening.
The suitcase was handed over to Vinnie, who opened it discreetly and fanned through the money inside.
I followed him discreetly for the rest of the afternoon, and only once did he touch base with Filmer, and then as if accidentally, as between strangers.
Everyone but Goldeye left discreetly, watching Jumshida from the corners of their eyes.
It was said discreetly to his hostess but, being the words of the king, the entire party hung on what he said and, as one, they turned to watch Jassy who was supporting Anne as she walked unsteadily toward them.
He had ordered the barricades in front of his own lines to be taken apart, slowly, discreetly removed, allowing his men a clear pathway into the open field.
Edwin Oreo advertised discreetly for information, offering large rewards, but nothing was ever forthcoming.
Used to transport bodies, the car was oversize, the tailgate window discreetly covered with a screen, and in back was a removable plyboard floor that required hosing down several times a week.
I discreetly strolled to the far end of the room and stared out the tiny, prisonlike window.
Couples strolled together and tipsy revelers staggered on the pavements and discreet prostitutes, many of them part-time actresses and supers, discreetly plied their trade.
There might have been better houses elsewhere in the tonier parts of town, catering discreetly to the native nabobs and unknown to the transient element.
As they came together they were unaware of anything around them, of Amelia and her husband stealing discreetly away--dispersing the inquisitive servants and leaving Blake and Katherine alone, cut off from the world by a storm of relief and passion that overwhelmed them.