secern

verb

se·​cern si-ˈsərn 

secerned; secerning; secerns

transitive verb

: to discriminate in thought : distinguish

Synonyms

• difference
• differentiate
• discern
• discriminate
• distinguish
• separate

Examples of secern in a Sentence

those philistines who seemingly cannot secern artistic depiction of the nude from blatant pornography

Word History

Etymology

Latin secernere to separate — more at secret

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined above