Discernment
[dɪ'sɜːnm(ə)nt] or [dɪ'sɝnmənt]
Definition
(n.) The act of discerning.
(n.) The power or faculty of the mind by which it distinguishes one thing from another; power of viewing differences in objects, and their relations and tendencies; penetrative and discriminate mental vision; acuteness; sagacity; insight; as, the errors of youth often proceed from the want of discernment.
Checked by Casey
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Discrimination, sagacity, shrewdness, sharpness, brightness, astuteness, acuteness, cleverness, perspicacity, ingenuity, penetration, insight, judgment, intelligence, mother wit, quick parts.
Typist: Lolita
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Discrimination, farsightedness, clearsightedness, penetration, observation,sagacity, judgment
ANT:Heedlessness, blindness, inobservance, shortsightedness, dullness, density,hebetude
Checked by Douglas
Examples
- The idea did not originate in my own discernment, I am bound to confess, but in a speech of Rosa Dartle's. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- All authorities agree that that discernment of relationships is the genuinely intellectual matter; hence, the educative matter. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- She has great discernment. Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
- Across all her imaginative adornment of those whom she loved, there darted now and then a keen discernment, which was not without a scorching quality. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- Our discernment is very gross. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- Mrs. Norris accepted the compliment, and admired the nice discernment of character which could so well distinguish merit. Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
- It requires no discernment to perceive that he is warmed and refreshed. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- My solicitor, do you know,' observed Eugene, turning round to the furniture, 'is a man of infinite discernment! Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- I do assure you that you owe it entirely, at least almost entirely, to your own merit, and Colonel Brandon's discernment of it. Jane Austen. Sense and Sensibility.
- It would be an insult to the discernment of any man with half an eye to tell him so. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- He leaned back, spreading himself farther across the seat, as if dilated by the joyful sense of his own discernment. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
Edited by Amber