Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: <1700, 1700, 1766-1909
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DISCREET, adj. Sc. usage: civil, polite (Sc. 1779 J. Beattie Scotticisms 6; Sc. 1815 Scott Guy M. xxxix.; Cai. 1900 E.D.D., Ags.17 1940); "not rude, not doing anything inconsistent with delicacy towards a female" (Sc. 1825 Jam.2).Sc. 1864 E. B. Ramsay Reminisc. v.:
Discreet does not bear the meaning of prudent or cautious, but of civil, kind, attentive.ne.Sc. 1909 G. Greig Folk-Song xvi. 1:
But the people a' they seemed discreet.Per. 1766 A. Nicol Poems 75:
Since you are wealthy, frank, and so discreet, Come, let's strike hands, the bargain is complete.Edb. 1812 P. Forbes Poems 77:
I might ha'e written lang ere now, An' that wa'd been discreeter.Ayr. 1803 Burns Mally's Meek (Cent. ed.) Chorus:
Mally's meek, Mally's sweet, Mally's modest and discreet.Ayr. 1822 Galt Sir A. Wylie I. xxx.:
It's very discreet o' you to offer sae.
Hence 1. discreetly, civilly, politely; 2. discreetness, courtesy; 3. discretion, discreetion, (1) civility, politeness; ceremoniousness, formally; " propriety of female conduct, as opposed to lightness or coquetry" (Sc. 1825 Jam.2); (2) "kindness shewn to a stranger in one's house" (Ib.), hospitality.1. Sc. 1692 A. Pitcairne Assembly (1722) 95:
We'll deal most descreetly and honestly with you.Sc. 1818 S. E. Ferrier Marriage I. vi.:
It is my desire that you should remain here to receive him, and that you trait him and his Lady discreetly.Fif. 1806 A. Douglas Poems 131:
The browster-wife discreetly Gies them the muckle room.Ayr. 1822 Galt Sir A. Wylie II. xvii.:
I redd you tak tent o' that carlin, and use her and the bairns discreetly.2. Kcb. 1814 W. Nicholson Poems 193:
The south'ren, in a' his politeness, His airs and his grandeur may shine; Our hills boast o' mair true discreetness.3. (1) Sc. 1782 J. Sinclair Ob. Sc. Dial. 100:
He is a very discreet (civil) man, it is true, but his brother has more discretion (civility).Sc. 1814 C. I. Johnstone Saxon and Gael III. 96:
We hae been our lanes at a' hours of the night an' day, an' I never saw ony thing o' her but the height o' discretion.Arg. 1901 N. Munro Doom Castle iii.:
Ye'll paurdon my discreetion, for it's a pernikity hoose this for a' the auld, bauld, gallant forms and ceremonies.Ayr. 1822 Galt Sir A. Wylie I. xxv.:
It couldna be thought but that in time I might hae ventured to ask my lord's helping hand, considering his discretion towards me.
