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To discern; to perceive. [Obs.]

differences; to note the distinctive character of; to discriminate; to distinguish. To discern such buds as are fit to produce blossoms. Boyle. A counterfeit stone which thine eye can not discern from a right stone. Robynson (More's Utopia).

Discernment. [Obs.]

One who, or that which, discerns, distinguishes, perceives, or judges; as, a discerner of truth, of right and wrong. A great observer and discerner of men's natures. Clarendon.

Capable of being discerned by the eye or the understanding; as, a star is discernible by the eye; the identity of difference of ideas is discernible by the understanding. The effect of the privations and sufferings . . . was discernible to the last in his temper and deportment. Macaulay.

The quality of being discernible.

In a manner to be discerned; perceptibly; visibly. Hammond.

Acute; shrewd; sagacious; sharp-sighted. Macaulay.

In a discerning manner; with judgment; judiciously; acutely. Garth.

The act of discerning.

Not to be discerned; imperceptible; not discoverable or visible. Secret and indiscernible ways. Jer. Taylor. -- In`dis*cern"i*ble*ness, n. -- In`dis*cern"i*bly, adv.

Want of discernment. [R.] Spectator.

Concealed or hidden out of the way. [Obs.] The eternal eye whose sight discerns Abstrusest thoughts. Milton.

Quickness of perception or discernment; penetration of mind; the faculty of nice discrimination. Selden.

Having nice discernment; perceiving or using minute distinctions; penetrating; clever; shrewd; -- opposed to Ant: dull or Ant: stupid; as, an acute observer; acute remarks, or reasoning.

The faculty of nice discernment or perception; acumen; keenness; sharpness; sensitiveness; -- applied to the senses, or the understanding. By acuteness of feeling, we perceive small objects or slight impressions: by acuteness of intellect, we discern nice distinctions. Perhaps, also, he felt his professional acuteness…

To be opposite to; to face. The windows answering each other, we could just discern the glowing horizon them. Gilpin.

Capable of apprehending, or quick to do so; apt; discerning. It may be pardonable to imagine that a friend, a kind and apprehensive . . . friend, is listening to our talk. Hawthorne.

Critically discerning; sagacious; shrewd; subtle; crafty.

Justification; warrant. Wilt thou be glass wherein it shall discern Authority for sin, warrant for blame. Shak.