decern
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
verb
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Scots law to decree or adjudge
-
an archaic spelling of discern
Etymology
Origin of decern
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English decernen “to decide,” from Old French decerner, from Latin dēcernere, from dē- de- + cernere “to decide, separate, sift”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"I'll revise that condescendence, and decern as accords," replied the laird, turning half round, to deliver himself of this mystical response.
From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 7 by Various
Exactos, puer, esse decern tibi gratulor annos; Hactenus es matris cura patrisque decus.
From Ionica by Cory, William (AKA William Johnson)
I'm some employed placin' myse'f at the time, an' don't decern it none till Cherokee brings it over his shoulder like a stream of white light.
From Wolfville by Lewis, Alfred Henry
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.