discern
Meaning: To perceive, recognise, or distinguish something, especially something that is not immediately obvious or requires careful observation or judgement.
Discern implies perceptive insight rather than casual observation. One discerns a pattern in data, discerns the truth behind a facade, or discerns a faint sound in the distance. The adjective 'discerning' means having good judgement or refined taste — a discerning reader, a discerning palate. The related noun 'discernment' refers to the quality of good judgement. The word is standard in academic, literary, and critical writing and carries consistently positive connotations of intellectual sharpness.
Examples
- It is difficult to discern any coherent strategy behind the government's recent policy announcements. 很难从政府近期的政策声明中辨别出任何连贯的战略。Resulta difícil discernir una estrategia coherente detrás de los recientes anuncios de política del gobierno.政府の最近の政策発表の背後に首尾一貫した戦略を見いだすことは困難である。정부의 최근 정책 발표 이면에 일관된 전략을 식별하기 어렵다.
- A discerning reader will notice the subtle parallels between the novel's opening and closing chapters. 有鉴赏力的读者会注意到小说开头和结尾之间微妙的呼应。Un lector perspicaz advertirá los sutiles paralelismos entre los capítulos inicial y final de la novela.目の肥えた読者であれば、小説の冒頭章と最終章の間の繊細な対照に気づくであろう。안목 있는 독자라면 소설의 첫 장과 마지막 장 사이의 미묘한 병행 관계를 알아차릴 것이다.
- Through the fog, she could just discern the outline of the cathedral spire against the grey sky. 透过浓雾,她隐约辨认出灰色天空下大教堂尖塔的轮廓。A través de la niebla, apenas pudo discernir la silueta de la aguja de la catedral recortada contra el cielo gris.霧の中、彼女は灰色の空を背に大聖堂の尖塔の輪郭をかろうじて識別することができた。안개 속에서 그녀는 회색 하늘을 배경으로 대성당 첨탑의 윤곽을 겨우 식별할 수 있었다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, literary, journalism
Tone: analytical
Origin & History
From Latin discernere (to separate, distinguish), from dis- (apart) + cernere (to sift, perceive). Entered English via Old French discerner in the 14th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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