discern

One entry found for discern.

Main Entry: dis·cern
Pronunciation: di-'s&rn, -'z&rn
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
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 /-'s&r-n&-b&l, -'z&r-/ adjective
- dis·cern·ibly /-blE/ adverb