v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Discerned p. pr. & vb. n. Discerning. ] [ F. discerner, L. discernere, discretum; dis- + cernere to separate, distinguish. See Certain, and cf. Discreet. ] 1. To see and identify by noting a difference or differences; to note the distinctive character of; to discriminate; to distinguish. [ 1913 Webster ] To discern such buds as are fit to produce blossoms. Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ] A counterfeit stone which thine eye can not discern from a right stone. Robynson (More's Utopia). [ 1913 Webster ] 2. To see by the eye or by the understanding; to perceive and recognize; as, to discern a difference. [ 1913 Webster ] And [ I ] beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding. Prov. vii. 7. [ 1913 Webster ] Our unassisted sight . . . is not acute enough to discern the minute texture of visible objects. Beattie. [ 1913 Webster ] I wake, and I discern the truth. Tennyson. Syn. -- To perceive; distinguish; discover; penetrate; discriminate; espy; descry; detect. See Perceive. [ 1913 Webster ] | 
