A person who or thing which discerns (in various senses of the verb).

One who draws a distinction; a distinguisher.

A person who engages in refined, esp. over-refined, speculation or reasoning; one who employs subtle, or oversubtle, thought or language. Obsolete.

One who or that which distinguishes, in various senses: see the verb.

A person who perceives or notes distinctions or differences. Also in extended use, of a thing. Cf. discriminate, v. 2a.

With the and plural agreement. Discerning people as a class; people who possess discernment considered collectively. Cf. A. 3, discernment, n. 3b.