Decrease and Discretion

noun

• A change downward.
  • usage: "there was a decrease in his temperature as the fever subsided"; "there was a sharp drop-off in sales"
  • synonyms: lessening, drop-off
• A process of becoming smaller or shorter.
  • synonyms: decrement
• The amount by which something decreases.
  • synonyms: decrement
• The act of decreasing or reducing something.
  • synonyms: diminution, reduction, step-down

verb

• Decrease in size, extent, or range.
  • usage: "The amount of homework decreased towards the end of the semester"; "The cabin pressure fell dramatically"; "her weight fell to under a hundred pounds"; "his voice fell to a whisper"
  • synonyms: diminish, lessen, fall
• Make smaller.
  • usage: "He decreased his staff"
  • synonyms: lessen, minify

• (v.t.) To cause to grow less; to diminish gradually; as, extravagance decreases one's means.
• (v.) A becoming less; gradual diminution; decay; as, a decrease of revenue or of strength.
• (n.) To grow less, -- opposed to increase; to be diminished gradually, in size, degree, number, duration, etc. or in strength, quality or excellence; as, they days decrease in length from June to December.
• (v.) The wane of the moon.

noun

• Freedom to act or judge on one's own.
• Knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress.
  • usage: "the servants showed great tact and discretion"
  • synonyms: discreetness, circumspection, prudence
• Refined taste; tact.
  • synonyms: delicacy
• The power of making free choices unconstrained by external agencies.
  • synonyms: free will
• The trait of judging wisely and objectively.
  • usage: "a man of discernment"
  • synonyms: discernment

• (n.) The quality of being discreet; wise conduct and management; cautious discernment, especially as to matters of propriety and self-control; prudence; circumspection; wariness.
• (n.) Discrimination.
• (n.) Disjunction; separation.
• (n.) Freedom to act according to one's own judgment; unrestrained exercise of choice or will.

Freedom given to the floor broker by an investor to use his judgment regarding the execution of an order.' Discretion' can be limited, as in the case of a limit order that gives the floor broker some distance from the stated limit price to use his judgment in executing the order. Discretion can also be unlimited, as in the case of a market-not-held order. See also: Market Not Held Order.