Main Entry: dis·cern

Pronunciation: \di-ˈsərn, -ˈzərn\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French discerner, from Latin discernere to separate, distinguish between, from dis- apart + cernere to sift — more at dis-, certain

Date: 14th century

transitive verb 1 a : to detect with the eyes <discerned a figure approaching through the fog> b : to detect with senses other than vision <discerned a strange odor>
2 : to recognize or identify as separate and distinct : discriminate <discern right from wrong>
3 : to come to know or recognize mentally <unable to discern his motives>intransitive verb : to see or understand the difference

— dis·cern·er noun

— dis·cern·ible also dis·cern·able \-ˈsər-nə-bəl, -ˈzər-\ adjective

— dis·cern·ibly \-blē\ adverb