Discern
[dɪ'sɜːn] or [dɪ'sɝn]
Definition
(v. t.) To see and identify by noting a difference or differences; to note the distinctive character of; to discriminate; to distinguish.
(v. t.) To see by the eye or by the understanding; to perceive and recognize; as, to discern a difference.
(v. i.) To see or understand the difference; to make distinction; as, to discern between good and evil, truth and falsehood.
(v. i.) To make cognizance.
Editor: Yvonne
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. a. [1].Discriminate, distinguish, note the distinctions of.[2].Perceive, see, discover, descry, behold, espy.
v. n. Discriminate, judge, make distinction.
Edited by Henry
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Descry, observe, recognize, see, distinguish, discover, behold, penetrate,discriminate, differentiate, separate, perceive
ANT:Overlook, confound, misdiscern
Checker: Natalia
Definition
v.t. to distinguish clearly by the eye or understanding: to judge (sometimes with between).—n. Discern′er.—adj. Discern′ible.—adv. Discern′ibly.—p.adj. Discern′ing discriminating acute.—n. Discern′ment power or faculty of discriminating: judgment: acuteness.
Checked by Llewellyn
Examples
- We can clearly discern this in the case of animals with simple habits. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- He appeared to me as one among many other men, none of whose faces I could plainly discern. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- I climbed a near tree: the level sands bounded by a pine forest, and the sea clipped round by the horizon, was all that I could discern. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- There was no being displeased with such an encourager, for his admiration made him discern a likeness almost before it was possible. Jane Austen. Emma.
- It provided the only hope of moral solidarity he could discern in the great welter of narrow views and self-seeking over which he had to rule. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- He could still discern the outline of facts, though his own relation to them had changed. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- He can discern the seven hills upon which Rome is built. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- All that I have looked upon, with my half-blind and sinful eyes, Thou hast discerned clearly, brightly. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- On approaching nearer, Bella discerned that the refection had the appearance of a small cottage-loaf and a pennyworth of milk. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Trees gigantic and aged grew near; before the gate I discerned a crowd of moving human figures--with intense curiosity I lifted my glass to my eye. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- And Wat Tyrrel's mark, at a hundred yards, said a voice from behind, but by whom uttered could not be discerned. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- The tramp of horses, distinctly heard in the silence, was at length discerned. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- The art of rowing can first be discerned upon the Nile. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- By degrees they discerned coming towards them a pair of human figures, apparently of the male sex. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- She had that rare sense which discerns what is unalterable, and submits to it without murmuring. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- He had a quick eye at discerning character, and was struck by a remark which Mr. Thornton made at dinner-time. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- On the other hand, the Secretary was discerning, discreet, and silent, though as zealous as if the affairs had been his own. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- If I could have been habitually imposed upon, instead of habitually discerning the truth, I might have lived as smoothly as most fools do. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- The maxims which his discerning mind has formed apply to innumerable cases and characters. Benjamin Franklin. Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin.
- So easily pleasedso little discerning;what signified her praise? Jane Austen. Emma.
- A glass of fine wine was likewise tasted, with discerning though most decorous relish. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- But not when he tells any ugly-looking truth about _you_, said discerning consciousness. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
Edited by Dorothy