Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DIS-CRE'TIVE, a. [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, &c.; 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. – Johnson.
3. Separate; distinct.