discern
[ dih-surn, -zurn ]
/ dɪˈsɜrn, -ˈzɜrn /
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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.
OTHER WORDS FOR discern
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Origin of discern
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English (from Old French ), from Latin discernere “to separate,” equivalent to dis-dis-1 + cernere “to separate”
synonym study for discern
1. See notice.
OTHER WORDS FROM discern
dis·cern·er, nounpre·dis·cern, verb (used with object)un·dis·cerned, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use discern in a sentence
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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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