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tr.v. dis·cerned, dis·cern·ing, dis·cerns 1. To perceive with the eyes; detect or distinguish: discern a figure in the shadows. 2. To recognize or understand as being distinct or different: Researchers finally discerned the purpose of the gene. See Synonyms at see1. [Middle English discernen, from Old French discerner, from Latin discernere, to separate : dis-, apart; see DIS- + cernere, to perceive; see krei- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] dis·cerner n. |
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