descry

[ dih-skrahy ]

See synonyms for descry on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),de·scried, de·scry·ing.

to see (something unclear or distant) by looking carefully; discern; espy: The lookout descried land.
to discover; ascertain; detect.

Origin of descry

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English descrien, from Old French de(s)crïer “to proclaim, decry”; see dis-¹, cry

Other words for descry

notice

See synonyms for descry on Thesaurus.com

Other words from descry

de·scri·er, noun
un·de·scried, adjective
un·de·scry·ing, adjective

Words that may be confused with descry

decry, descry

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use descry in a sentence

Charles Lamb once, while riding in company with a lady, descried a party denuded for swimming a little way off.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun; | Various
But he was wrong, for she descried the novel screen of the old dress which floated round the man's head as a kind of turban.
Balsamo, The Magician | Alexander Dumas
No doubt he descried in the movement a chance for a diversion of the public mind from obnoxious topics.
Great Men and Famous Women. Vol. 4 of 8 | Various
Just as the tug was making in at the village pier, Hal descried the figure of Captain Foster just stepping on to the pier.
Uncle Sam's Boys as Lieutenants | H. Irving Hancock
After about half an hour we heard voices ahead, and descried the shapes of horses and men.
The Relief of Mafeking | Filson Young

British Dictionary definitions for descry

descry

/ (dɪˈskraɪ) /

verb-scries, -scrying or -scried (tr)

to discern or make out; catch sight of
to discover by looking carefully; detect

Origin of descry

C14: from Old French descrier to proclaim, decry

Derived forms of descry

descrier, noun

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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