discrete
separate and distinct
Roots
- cern / cret: sift, separate, distinguish, or set apart
- dis- / dif-: apart, away, not, reversal, or disruption
Other words with the cern / cret root
- discern: to notice or distinguish clearly
- discerning: showing careful judgment
- secret: kept apart from public knowledge
- secrete: to release or hide away
Discrete things are set apart from one another: separate units rather than one blended mass.
The survey measured three discrete skills instead of giving one vague score.