Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

discerp

transitive verb
Save Word
dis·​cerp | \ də̇ˈsərp, -ˈzerp \
-ed/-ing/-s

Definition of discerp

1 : to tear apart : dismember
2 archaic : to tear off : sever from a whole

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for discerp

Middle English discerpen, from Latin discerpere, from dis- apart + -cerpere (from carpere to pick, pluck)

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about discerp

Statistics for discerp

Cite this Entry

“Discerp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discerp. Accessed 5 Jun. 2020.

Comments on discerp

What made you want to look up discerp? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

rendition

Listen to the pronunciation of rendition

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

May 2020 Words of the Day Quiz

  • a blooming wisteria tree
  • Which is a synonym of exiguous?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games