DISCERN


Meaning of DISCERN in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ di-ˈsərn, -ˈzərn ]

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

discern ed a figure approaching through the fog

b. : to detect with senses other than vision

discern ed 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

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.