dis·cern

[dih-surn, -zurn]
verb (used with object)
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.
verb (used without object)
3.
to distinguish or discriminate.

Origin:
1300–50; Middle English (< Old French) < Latin discernere to separate, equivalent to dis- dis-1 + cernere to separate

dis·cern·er, noun
pre·dis·cern, verb (used with object)
un·dis·cerned, adjective


1. discover, descry, espy. See notice. 2, 3. differentiate, judge.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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causing gloom or dejection
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World English Dictionary
discern (dɪˈsɜːn) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
vb
1.  (tr) to recognize or perceive clearly
2.  to recognize or perceive (differences)
 
[C14: from Old French discerner, from Latin discernere to divide, from dis-1 (apart) + cernere to separate]
 
dis'cerner
 
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

discern
late 14c., from O.Fr. discerner "distinguish, separate" (by sifting), from L. discernere, from dis- "off, away" + cernere "distinguish, separate, sift" (see crisis). Related: Discerned.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
If thou mayst discern by that which is left of him what he is, fetch me to the
  sight of him.
Geographers use maps as tools to discern patterns and to understand why things
  are where they are.
Lies, hidden agendas, and the public's inability to discern intent only destroy
  confidence.
The images have a resolution of three to four nanometers, allowing scientists
  to discern the structures of individual proteins.
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