dis·cern / diˈsərn/ • v. [tr.] perceive or recognize (something): I can discern no difference between the two policies | students quickly discern what is acceptable to the teacher. ∎  distinguish (someone or something) with difficulty by sight or with the other senses: she could faintly discern the shape of a skull.DERIVATIVES: dis·cern·er n.dis·cern·i·ble adj.dis·cern·i·bly / -əblē/ adv.

discern XIV. — (O)F. discerner — L. discernere separate, distinguish, f. DIS- 1 + cernere separate, rel. to Gr. krī́nein (see CRISIS).