Descry - Definitions from Dictionary.com

7 results for: Descry

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

de·scry

Audio Help [di-skrahy] Pronunciation Key

–verb (used with object), -scried, -scry·ing.

1.	to see (something unclear or distant) by looking carefully; discern; espy: The lookout descried land.

2.	to discover; perceive; detect.

[Origin: 1250–1300; ME descrien < OF de(s)crïer to proclaim, decry. See dis-¹, cry

]

—Related forms

de·scri·er, noun

—Synonyms 1. notice.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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Descry

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

de·scry Audio Help (dĭ-skrī') Pronunciation Key
tr.v. de·scried, de·scry·ing, de·scries

To catch sight of (something difficult to discern). See Synonyms at see¹.
To discover by careful observation or scrutiny; detect: descried a message of hope in her words.

[Middle English descrien, from Old French descrier, to call, cry out; see decry.]

de·scri'er n.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
descry

c.1300, probably from O.Fr. descrier "publish," from L. describere (see describe).

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

descry
verb
catch sight of

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Descry

De*cry"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Decried; p. pr. & vb. n. Decrying.] [F. d['e]crier, OF. descrier; pref. des- (L. dis-) + crier to cry. See Cry, and cf. Descry.] To cry down; to censure as faulty, mean, or worthless; to clamor against; to blame clamorously; to discredit; to disparage.

For small errors they whole plays decry. --Dryden.

Measures which are extolled by one half of the kingdom are naturally decried by the other. --Addison.

Syn: To Decry, Depreciate, Detract, Disparage.

Usage: Decry and depreciate refer to the estimation of a thing, the former seeking to lower its value by clamorous censure, the latter by representing it as of little worth. Detract and disparage also refer to merit or value, which the former assails with caviling, insinuation, etc., while the latter willfully underrates and seeks to degrade it. Men decry their rivals and depreciate their measures. The envious detract from the merit of a good action, and disparage the motives of him who performs it.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Descry

De*scribe"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Described; p. pr. & vb. n. Describing.] [L. describere, descriptum; de- + scribere to write: cf. OE. descriven, OF. descrivre, F. d['e]crire. See Scribe, and cf. Descry.]

1. To represent by drawing; to draw a plan of; to delineate; to trace or mark out; as, to describe a circle by the compasses; a torch waved about the head in such a way as to describe a circle.

2. To represent by words written or spoken; to give an account of; to make known to others by words or signs; as, the geographer describes countries and cities.

3. To distribute into parts, groups, or classes; to mark off; to class. [Obs.]

Passed through the land, and described it by cities into seven parts in a book. --Josh. xviii. 9.

Syn: To set forth; represent; delineate; relate; recount; narrate; express; explain; depict; portray; chracterize.

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descry

descry was Word of the Day on December 29, 1999.

Dictionary.com Word of the Day

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