Diszkrétek

Diszkrétek is a term that appears in Hungarian texts as a plural form related to the adjective diszkrét, which has two primary senses in everyday language and in technical use. In standard Hungarian, diszkrét means discreet (prudent, tactful) or discreet/isolated in a mathematical or technical sense, such as discrete rather than continuous. The plural form diszkrétek is not commonly used as a formal noun, but it can appear in colloquial writing, in notes, or in certain stylistic contexts as a shorthand for discrete elements or aspects described in plural.

Etymology and senses

The root is diszkrét, borrowed from Latin discretus, via French discret. The two main meanings in Hungarian are:

- Discreet, prudent or understated in behavior or communication.

- Discrete, referring to objects or entities that are separate, distinct, and countable, as opposed to continuous.

Usage and nuance

When used in a mathematical or computing sense, the preferred phrasing is diszkrét elemek or diszkrét struktúrák. The plural diszkrétek may occur in informal or condensed notes to refer collectively to discrete components, but it is less standard and can sound stylistically nonstandard to native speakers. In the social sense, diszkrét describes confidentiality or tact, and one would more commonly speak of diszkrét személyes információk or diszkrét magatartás rather than a pluralized form in everyday prose.

Relation to related terms

Diszkrét and diszkrét szóhasználat are distinct from the English discreet and the mathematical term discrete. While diszkrétek can be heard in some Hungarian texts, it remains a nonstandard pluralization whose acceptability depends on context and authorial preference.

See also: diszkrét, discreet, discrete mathematics, privacy and tact in language.