DISCRETIVE, adjective [See Discreet and Discrete.] 1. Disjunctive; noting separation or opposition. In logic, a discretive proposition expresses some distinction, opposition or variety, by means of but, though, yet, etc.; as, travelers change their climate, but not their temper; Job was patient, though his grief was great. 2. In grammar, discretive distinctions are such as imply opposition or difference; as, not a man, but a beast. 3. Separate; distinct.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI