English Lexicon

Discrimination

/dɪˌskrɪm.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/
nounCEFR C1 (Advanced)Top #2350 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

1 sense
As noun
  1. 1

    The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of ethnicity, age, sex, or disability.

    "Victims of racial discrimination often struggle to find adequate employment."

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Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the Latin discriminatio, from discriminare (to divide, distinguish), originating in the late 16th century in the sense of 'distinguishing between things'. Over time, it evolved from a neutral cognitive act of noticing differences to carrying significant social weight regarding prejudice and unfair treatment.

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