Roman Law. [ad. L. crētiōn-em, n. of action from cernĕre to decide, resolve: see CERN.] Declaration of acceptance of an inheritance (see CERN v.); transf. the period or term allowed for this.
1880. Muirhead, Gaius, II. § 166. If the individual so instituted desire to be heir, he must cern within the time for cretion. Ibid. (1880), Ulpian, xxii. § 27. Cretion is a certain … time allowed to the instituted heir for deliberating whether or not it will be for his advantage to enter to the inheritance.
Hence Cretionary a., of or belonging to cretion.
1880. Muirhead, Ulpian, xxii. § 30. Failing to cern within the cretionary period.
