— discerner , n.
/di serrn", -zerrn"/ , v.t.
1. to perceive by the sight or some other sense or by the intellect; see, recognize, or apprehend: They discerned a sail on the horizon.
2. to distinguish mentally; recognize as distinct or different; discriminate: He is incapable of discerning right from wrong.
v.i.
3. to distinguish or discriminate.
[ 1300-50; ME ( discernere to separate, equiv. to dis- DIS- 1 + cernere to separate ]
Syn. 1. discover, descry, espy. See notice. 2, 3. differentiate, judge.