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decern

[ dih-surn ]
/ dɪˈsɜrn /
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verb (used without object)
Scots Law. to enter a judicial decree.
verb (used with object)
Archaic. to discern.
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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
candystring
candyfloss
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Origin of decern

1400–50; late Middle English decernen to decide <Old French decerner<Latin dēcernere, equivalent to dē-de- + cernere to separate, decide

Words nearby decern

deception table, deceptive, deceptive cadence, deceptively, decerebrate, decern, decertify, dechlorinate, deci-, deciare, decibar
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use decern in a sentence

  • It happened at one time he heard his mother (for see neither of them could, as to decern in so dark a place) bemoan her condition.

    A History of English Literature|George Saintsbury

  • Noo, I would be greatly obligated if ye would expone to me the nice point, that I may be able to decern accordingly.

    The Entail|John Galt

British Dictionary definitions for decern

decern
/ (dɪˈsɜːn) /
verb (tr)
Scots law to decree or adjudge
an archaic spelling of discern

Word Origin for decern

C15: from Old French decerner, from Latin dēcernere to judge, from cernere to discern
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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