secern

[ si-surn ]

verb (used with object)

1. to discriminate or distinguish in thought.

verb (used without object)

1. to become secerned.

secern

/ sɪˈsɜːn /

verb

1. (of a gland or follicle) to secrete
2. to distinguish or discriminate

Derived Forms

• seˈcernment, noun

Other Words From

• se·cernment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of secern¹

First recorded in 1620–30; from Latin sēcernere, from sē- se- + cernere “to decide, separate, sift” ( discern )

Word History and Origins

Origin of secern¹

C17: from Latin sēcernere to separate, from sē- apart + cernere to distinguish

Example Sentences

And still less is he able to secern the truth from the falsehood, or to weigh the probabilities of conflicting testimony.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• anticipate
• ascertain
• detect
• determine
• differentiate
• discriminate
• distinguish
• divine
• figure out
• find out
• foresee
• perceive