discern

Everyday

1. To see, hear or notice something that is hard to see or hear. tree →
2. To understand or recognise something, often a difference, by thinking carefully. tree →
3. (formal) To tell apart, such as right from wrong. tree →

In the lessons

In reading lessons, pupils discern the author's meaning or a character's feelings from clues. In science, you may discern a pattern in data. In fog or dark, you can barely discern shapes. In church and ethics, Christians speak of discerning what is right or what God wants. Phrases: «hard to discern», «discern between», «discern a pattern».

Examples

• Through the fog we could just discern the lighthouse. tree →
• Can you discern a pattern in these numbers? tree →
• It was hard to discern what she meant. tree →
• Babies soon learn to discern their mother's voice. tree →
• Good readers discern clues the writer has hidden. tree →
• He could not discern any difference between the two cakes. tree →
• The judge must discern truth from lies. tree →
• So rapidly did they grow, that Cadmus now discerned the fierce countenance of a man beneath every one. tree →

Note

Formal word; pronounced «di-SURN» (the «s» sounds like «s», sometimes «z»). Adjective: discerning (good at judging quality). Noun: discernment. In everyday talk people say «make out» or «spot».

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah it means to recognize or tell apart. Isaac could not recognize Jacob by his hairy hands, and Jacob told Laban to identify what was his.

Interpretation. The passage about discerning one's "latter end" is read as a call to wisdom, to look ahead to the results of one's actions. Isaac's failure to discern is a part of the story of the blessing.

Examples

• If they were wise, they would understand this, they would discern their latter end. (Torah DEU.32.29, JPS 1917) tree →
• And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau's hands; so he blessed him. (Torah GEN.27.23, JPS 1917) tree →
• With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, he shall not live; before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee.' — For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them. — (Torah GEN.31.32, JPS 1917) tree →
• Cannot my taste discern crafty devices? (Writings JOB.6.30, JPS 1917) tree →
• It is not the great that are wise, nor the aged that discern judgment. (Writings JOB.32.9, JPS 1917) tree →
• And she lay at his feet until the morning; and she rose up before one could discern another. (Writings RUT.3.14, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Formal word; pronounced «di-SURN» (the «s» sounds like «s», sometimes «z»). Adjective: discerning (good at judging quality). Noun: discernment. In everyday talk people say «make out» or «spot».