dis•crim•i•nate
Pronunciation: (v.di-skrim'u nāt"adj.di-skrim'u-nit), [key] — v., adj. -nat•ed, -nat•ing,
—v.i. - 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.
- to note or observe a difference; distinguish accurately: to discriminate between things.
—v.t. - to make or constitute a distinction in or between; differentiate: a mark that discriminates the original from the copy.
- to note or distinguish as different: He can discriminate minute variations in tone.
—adj. - marked by discrimination; making or evidencing nice distinctions: discriminate people; discriminate judgments.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.