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descry

[dih-skrahy]

Example Sentences Origin

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

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

to discover; perceive; detect.

Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English descrien < Old French de(s)crïer to proclaim, decry. See dis-¹, cry

Related forms

de·scri·er, noun

un·de·scried, adjective

un·de·scry·ing, adjective

Can be confused: decry, descry (see synonym note at decry).

Synonyms
1. notice.

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Descry is a GRE word you need to know.

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full of ill will, hatred or malice

whimsical

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Example Sentences

The crudity of the technique makes it hard to descry intention.

Collins

World English Dictionary

descry (dɪˈskraɪ)

—vb , -scries, -scrying, -scried
1.	to discern or make out; catch sight of
2.	to discover by looking carefully; detect

[C14: from Old French descrier to proclaim, decry]

de'scrier

—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

descry

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

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"When the inhabitants of some sequestered island first descry the "big canoe" of the European rolling through the blue waters towards their shores, they rush down to the beach in crowds, and with open arms stand ready to embrace the strangers. Fatal embrace! They fold to their bosoms the vipers whose sting is destined to poison all their joys; and the instinctive feeling of love within their breasts is soon converted into the bitterest hate."

-Herman Melville

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