Part 322

Strype.

Dis`cep*ta"tor (?), n. [L.] One who arbitrates or decides. [R.] Cowley.

Dis*cern" (?), 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.

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).

2. To see by the eye or by the understanding; to perceive and recognize; as, to discern a difference.

And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding.

Prov. vii. 7.

Our unassisted sight . . . is not acute enough to discern the minute texture of visible objects.

Beattie.

I wake, and I discern the truth.

Tennyson.

Syn. -- To perceive; distinguish; discover; penetrate; discriminate; espy; descry; detect. See Perceive.

Dis*cern", v. i. 1. To see or understand the difference; to make distinction; as, to discern between good and evil, truth and falsehood.

More than sixscore thousand that cannot discern between their right hand their left.

Jonah iv. 11.

2. To make cognizance. [Obs.] Bacon.

Dis*cern"ance (?), n. Discernment. [Obs.]

Dis*cern"er (?), n. 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.

Dis*cern"i*ble (?), a. [L. discernibilis.] 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.

Syn. -- Perceptible; distinguishable; apparent; visible; evident; manifest.

Dis*cern"i*ble*ness, n. The quality of being discernible.