Something that is left to personal choice or judgment rather than required by law or rules; flexible based on circumstances.
From Latin 'discretio,' from 'discernere' meaning to distinguish or separate. The word entered English in the 14th century from legal and moral philosophy contexts.
Judges have 'discretionary power' because they must use their own judgment—the Latin root 'discernere' means to see clearly and distinguish between cases, which is exactly what judges do!
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