discerner


dis·cern

D0254200 (dĭ-sûrn′)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 Indo-European roots.]
dis·cern′er n.