discreetly

English

Etymology

From discreet +‎ -ly.

Pronunciation

Adverb

discreetly (comparative more discreetly, superlative most discreetly)

  1. Acting in a discreet manner; acting in a way that respects privacy or secrecy; quietly
    • 1978, Richard Nixon, RN: the Memoirs of Richard Nixon‎[1], Grosset & Dunlap, →ISBN, page 563:
      Mao was animated and following every nuance of the conversation, but I could see that he was also becoming very tired. Chou had been discreetly glancing at his watch with increasing frequency, so I decided that I should try to bring the session to a close.
  2. inconspicuously
    • 1950, Norman Lindsay, Dust or Polish?, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, page 150:
      And, placed discreetly among these commonplaces, a few pieces of genuine quality, bizarrely distinguished by craftsmanship from the vulgar products of the machine.
    • 1980, AA Book of British Villages, Drive Publications Ltd, page 382, about Tighnabruaich:
      A Forest Trail and wild life hides lie 2 miles to the north-east. Blue hares, deer, wild geese, herons and duck can be discreetly observed from the hides.

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