discrimination

The story

1. Latin · learned borrowing fromdiscrīminātiō, discrīminātiōnem
2. English todaydiscrimination

Learned borrowing from Latin discrīminātiō, discrīminātiōnem, the action noun to discrīminō, discrīmināre (“distinguish”). Equivalent to discriminate + -ion. In English use from the 17th century.

First known use, by meaning

• from early 17th c. Discernment, the act of discriminating, discerning, distinguishing, noting or perceiving differences between things, with the intent to understand rightly and make correct decisions.
• from early 19th c. Differential treatment of an individual or group to their disadvantage; treatment or consideration based on class or category rather than individual merit; partiality; prejudice; bigotry.
• from 18th c. The quality of being discriminating; acute discernment, especially in matters of good taste.