discriminate: Meaning and Definition of

dis•crim•i•nate

Pronunciation: (v.di-skrim'u nāt"adj.di-skrim'u-nit), [key]
— v., adj. -nat•ed, -nat•ing,
—v.i.
  1. to make a distinction in favor of or against a person or thing on the basis of the group, class, or category to which the person or thing belongs rather than according to actual merit; show partiality: The new law discriminates against foreigners. He discriminates in favor of his relatives.
  2. to note or observe a difference; distinguish accurately: to discriminate between things.
—v.t.
  1. to make or constitute a distinction in or between; differentiate: a mark that discriminates the original from the copy.
  2. to note or distinguish as different: He can discriminate minute variations in tone.
—adj.
  1. marked by discrimination; making or evidencing nice distinctions: discriminate people; discriminate judgments.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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