se·cern \sə̇ˈsərn, sēˈ-\verb (-ed/-ing/-s) Etymology: Latin secernere to separate, distinguish — more at secret transitive verb 1.: separate; especially: to discriminate in thought : distinguish 2.alsose·cer·nate\-ˌnāt\[secernate from secern + -ate]: secrete intransitive verb : separate