Arbitrary vs. Discretion — What's the Difference?

Based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system

Discretion has the meaning of acting on one's own authority and judgment. In law, discretion as to legal rulings, such as whether evidence is excluded at a trial, may be exercised by a judge.

(of power or a ruling body) unrestrained and autocratic in the use of authority

The quality of being discreet; circumspection

(of a constant or other quantity) of unspecified value.

Freedom to act or judge on one's own

Determined by chance, whim, or impulse, and not by necessity, reason, or principle

(Archaic) The ability or power to discern what is responsible or socially appropriate

Based on or subject to individual judgment or preference

Individual justice from experience in quality of perception: discrete.

(Law) Relating to a decision made by a court or legislature that lacks a grounding in law or fact

The quality of being discreet.

Not limited by law; despotic

The ability to make wise choices or decisions.

Based on individual discretion or judgment; not based on any objective distinction, perhaps even made at random.

The freedom to make one's own judgements.

Determined by impulse rather than reason; heavy-handed.

Disjunction; separation.

(mathematics) Any, out of all that are possible.

The quality of being discreet; wise conduct and management; cautious discernment, especially as to matters of propriety and self-control; prudence; circumspection; wariness.

Determined by independent arbiter.

Discrimination.

(linguistics) Not representative or symbolic; not iconic.

Freedom to act according to one's own judgment; unrestrained exercise of choice or will.

Anything arbitrary, such as an arithmetical value or a fee.

Freedom to act or judge on one's own

Depending on will or discretion; not governed by any fixed rules; as, an arbitrary decision; an arbitrary punishment.

Knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress;

Exercised according to one's own will or caprice, and therefore conveying a notion of a tendency to abuse the possession of power.

Refined taste; tact

Despotic; absolute in power; bound by no law; harsh and unforbearing; tyrannical; as, an arbitrary prince or government.

The power of making free choices unconstrained by external agencies

Based on or subject to individual discretion or preference or sometimes impulse or caprice;

The trait of judging wisely and objectively;