discern
[ dih-surn, -zurn ]
/ dɪˈsɜrn, -ˈzɜrn /
verb (used with object)
to perceive by the sight or some other sense or by the intellect; see, recognize, or apprehend: They discerned a sail on the horizon.
to distinguish mentally; recognize as distinct or different; discriminate: He is incapable of discerning right from wrong.
verb (used without object)
to distinguish or discriminate.
Origin of discern
1300–50; Middle English (< Old French) < Latin
discernere to separate, equivalent to
dis-
dis-1 +
cernere to separate
SYNONYMS FOR discern
OTHER WORDS FROM discern
dis·cern·er, noun pre·dis·cern, verb (used with object) un·dis·cerned, adjectiveWords nearby discern
discant,
discard,
discarnate,
discase,
discectomy,
discern,
discernible,
discerning,
discernment,
discerptible,
discharge
Example sentences from the Web for discern
British Dictionary definitions for discern
discern
/ (dɪˈsɜːn) /
verb
(tr)
to recognize or perceive clearly
to recognize or perceive (differences)
Derived forms of discern
discerner, nounWord Origin for discern
C14: from Old French
discerner, from Latin
discernere to divide, from
dis-
1 (apart) +
cernere to separate