Discrimination, n.
Etymology: [L. discriminatio the contrasting of opposite thoughts.]
1. The act of discriminating, distinguishing, or noting and marking differences. To make an anxious discrimination between the miracle absolute and providential. Trench.
2. The state of being discriminated, distinguished, or set apart. Sir J. Reynolds.
3. (Railroads)
The arbitrary imposition of unequal tariffs for substantially the same service. A difference in rates, not based upon any corresponding difference in cost, constitutes a case of discrimination. A. T. Hadley.
3 more senses
4. The quality of being discriminating; faculty of nicely distinguishing; acute discernment; as, to show great discrimination in the choice of means.
5. That which discriminates; mark of distinction.
Syn. -- Discernment; penetration; clearness; acuteness; judgment; distinction. See Discernment.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for discrimination; he lists it under difference.
Where he writes about it:
A difference is in the things compared; a discrimination is in our judgment of them; a distinction is in our definition or description or mental image of them. — from difference
Careful discrimination of real differences results in clear distinctions. — from difference