secern

American  

[si-surn] / sɪˈsɜrn /

verb (used with object)

1. to discriminate or distinguish in thought.

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verb (used without object)

1. to become secerned.

secern British  

/ sɪˈsɜːn /

verb

1. (of a gland or follicle) to secrete

2. to distinguish or discriminate

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Other Word Forms

• secernment
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of secern

First recorded in 1620–30; from Latin sēcernere, from sē- se- + cernere “to decide, separate, sift” ( cf. discern)

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

secern

And still less is he able to secern the truth from the falsehood, or to weigh the probabilities of conflicting testimony.

From Account of a Tour in Normandy, Volume 1 by Dawson Turner

Now and again, one of them, flushed with triumph, would secern himself from his troupe, and would 'star' round the country for his livelihood.

From Yet Again by Sir Max Beerbohm

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Related Words

• anticipate
• ascertain
• detect
• determine
• differentiate
• discriminate
• distinguish
• divine
• figure out
• find out
• foresee
• perceive

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