I.that which separates or divides two things from each other (for syn. cf.: differentia, discrepantia, diversitas, distantia); hence,
I. Lit., an intervening space, interval, distance, division, separation: “cum (duo maria) pertenui discrimine separarentur,” Cic. Agr. 2, 32, 87: “minimum quos inter et hostem Discrimen murus clausaque porta facit,” Ov. Pont. 1, 8, 62: “aequo discrimine,” Lucr. 5, 690; Verg. A. 5, 154: “parvum leti,” Ov. M. 7, 426; Verg. A. 9, 143: “dare discrimina costis,” i. e. to separate them, id. ib. 10, 382: “quae (sc. littera F) inter discrimina dentium efflanda est,” Quint. 12, 10, 29: “agminum,” Curt. 4, 12 fin.: “ungulae,” Col. 6, 15 fin.: “comae,” Ov. A. A. 2, 302; and in like manner poet.: telluris pectitae, i. e. furrow, Col. Poët. 10, 94; Claud. Nupt. Honor. 103: “medium luci,” Grat. Cyneg. 486.—Hence, med. t. t., the dividing membrane, the midriff, diaphragm, Cael. Aur. Tard. 2, 11, 127; 5, 10, 124 al.—
II. Trop. (so most frequent).
A. In gen., a distinction, difference: amabat omnes, nam discrimen non facit, Lucil. ap. Non. 282, 27: “iste, qui omnia jura pretio exaequasset omniumque rerum delectum atque discrimen pecunia sustulisset,” Cic. Verr. 2, 2, 50; cf.: “officia tollebantur delectu omni et discrimine remoto,” id. Fin. 4, 25, 69: “sit hoc discrimen inter gratiosos cives atque fortes, ut illi, etc.,” id. Balb. 21 fin.: “sine ullo sexus discrimine,” Suet. Calig. 8; cf.: “rapti per agros viatores sine discrimine liberi servique,” id. Aug. 32: “omisso sui alicuique discrimine,” Liv. 5, 55: “divinarum humanarumque rerum,” id. 5, 40: “recti pravique,” Quint. 12, 3, 7: “vocum,” id. 1, 5, 25; cf. “so of the different tones of the strings: septem discrimina vocum,” Verg. A. 6, 646 et saep.—Poet.: “tenues parvi discriminis umbrae,” i. e. of easy gradation, Ov. M. 6, 62. —
B. In partic.
1. With respect to disputed matters, which are to be distinguished between, and thus decided upon, the decisive point, turning-point, critical moment, determination, decision: “quoniam res in id discrimen adducta est, utrum ille poenas rei publicae luat, an nos serviamus,” to this point, Cic. Phil. 3, 11, 29; cf.: “ea res nunc in discrimine versatur, utrum ... an, etc.,” id. Quint. 30, 92; Liv. 29, 17: “vicit disciplina militaris, vicit imperii majestas, quae in discrimine fuerunt, an ulla post hanc diem essent,” id. 8, 35, 4: haec et his similia haud in magno equidem ponam discrimine, shall not regard as of great moment, id. praef. § “8: postquam adesse discrimen ultimum belli animadvertit,” id. 44, 23: “instant enim (adversarii) et saepe discrimen omne committunt,” abandon the most decisive points, Quint. 6, 4, 17 et saep.—Poet.: “experiar, deus hic, discrimine aperto, An sit mortalis,” the test, Ov. M. 1, 222.—
2. Transf., a dangerous, decisive moment, crisis, dangerous condition; risk, danger, hazard: “in ipso discrimine periculi aliquem destituere,” Liv. 6, 17; so, “periculi,” id. 8, 24: in summo rem esse discrimine, * Caes. B. G. 6, 38, 2; cf.: “adducta est res in maximum periculum et extremum pene discrimen,” Cic. Phil. 7, 1: “salus sociorum summum in periculum ac discrimen vocatur,” id. de Imp. Pomp. 5, 12: “in extremo discrimine ac dimicatione fortunae,” id. Sull. 28: “in veteris fortunae discrimen adducitur,” id. Mur. 27, 55; cf.: “aliquem in discrimen capitis adducere,” id. Deiot. 1, 2; so, “capitis,” Quint. 11, 1, 49: “si ei subito sit allatum periculum discrimenque patriae,” Cic. Off. 1, 43, 154: “rem publicam in discrimen committere,” Liv. 8, 32; 33, 7; cf.: “fuitque dies illa tenebrarum et discriminis,” Vulg. Esth. 11, 8.
