discrimination

/dis,krimi'neiʃn/
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discrimination

A scientist studies discrimination between two similar sounds in an experiment.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • The cognitive ability to perceive and understand differences: "discrimination" refers to the mental process of distinguishing between two or more things, ideas, or stimuli. It involves making fine distinctions and judgments.
    • The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people: "discrimination" also denotes the unfair and harmful action of treating a person or group worse than others based on characteristics like race, age, gender, or religion.
Examples of Usage
  • Noun (Cognitive Ability):

    • Her discrimination in matters of taste is excellent. (She has a very refined ability to judge quality.)
    • The test measures the child's auditory discrimination. (The test evaluates the child's ability to hear differences between sounds.)
  • Noun (Unfair Treatment):

    • The law prohibits discrimination based on disability. (The law forbids unfair treatment of people because they have a disability.)
    • She filed a complaint about age discrimination at her workplace. (She officially reported being treated unfairly at work due to her age.)
Advanced Usage
  • "to show discrimination": to demonstrate good judgment or taste.

    • He shows great discrimination in his choice of literature. (He demonstrates excellent judgment in the books he chooses to read.)
  • "reverse discrimination": a term used to describe policies intended to correct past discrimination, which some argue unfairly advantage previously disadvantaged groups.

    • The debate centered on whether the hiring policy constituted reverse discrimination. (The argument focused on whether the hiring practice was unfair in the opposite direction.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Discriminate (verb): to recognize a distinction or to treat a person or group unfairly.

    • It is wrong to discriminate against someone because of their background. (It is unjust to treat someone poorly based on their origin.)
  • Discriminatory (adjective): showing unfair treatment.

    • The policy was criticized for being discriminatory. (The rule was condemned for being unjust.)
  • Discriminating (adjective): having or showing refined taste or judgment.

    • The restaurant appeals to a discriminating clientele. (The restaurant attracts customers with refined taste.)
Synonyms
  • Differentiation: the action of recognizing or identifying differences.
  • Bias: prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another.
  • Prejudice: preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience, often leading to discrimination.
Related Phrases
  • Price discrimination: (in economics) the action of selling the same product at different prices to different buyers.

    • The airline uses price discrimination, charging more for last-minute bookings. (The airline sells identical seats at higher prices to customers who book late.)
  • Racial discrimination: unfair treatment based on race or ethnicity.

    • The movement fought to end racial discrimination in housing. (The campaign worked to stop unfair housing practices based on race.)
Related Idioms
  • Discriminate between: to recognize the difference between two or more things.

    • A good critic must be able to discriminate between good and bad art. (A competent critic needs the skill to tell good art from bad.)
  • A discriminating eye/ear/palette: a refined ability to judge quality in visual arts, music, or food/drink.

    • With her discriminating palate, she can identify every spice in the dish. (Because of her refined sense of taste, she can recognize all the spices used.)
discrimination

A scientist studies discrimination between two similar sounds in an experiment.

Noun
  1. the cognitive process whereby two or more stimuli are distinguished
  2. unfair treatment of a person or group on the basis of prejudice