descry

1 of 2

verb

de·​scry di-ˈskrī 

descried; descrying

transitive verb

1

a

: to catch sight of

I descried a sail

—Jonathan Swift

b

: find out, discover

2

obsolete : to make known : reveal

descry

2 of 2

noun

obsolete

: discovery or view from afar

Did you know?

If you’ve ever mixed up the words descry and decry, you’re not alone; even carefully edited publications occasionally mistake the former (“to catch sight of” or “to discover”) for the latter (“to express strong disapproval of”), as in “the watchdog group’s report descried (oops: decried) environmental pollution by manufacturers in the harshest terms.” As always, we’re here to help you descry handy ways to tell confusing words apart. In the case of descry and decry, pronunciation is key—the s in descry is not silent. Descry sounds just like the English verb describe without its closing b, and the two share a Latin root as well, the verb dēscrībere, meaning “to represent by drawing or speech.” When you descry something, it becomes known to you either by discovery or understanding, as though it were well-described. Decry, on the other hand, emphasizes cry when spoken, and shares roots with cry as well: when you decry something, you might be said to cry loudly your complaint.

Synonyms

Verb

• ascertain
• detect
• determine
• dig out
• dig up
• discover
• dredge (up)
• ferret (out)
• find
• find out
• get
• hit (on or upon)
• hunt (down or up)
• learn
• locate
• nose out
• root (out)
• rout (out)
• rummage
• run down
• scare up
• scout (up)
• track (down)
• turn up

Examples of descry in a Sentence

Verb

we couldn't descry the reasons for his sudden departure

could just descry the ship coming over the horizon

Word History

Etymology

Verb

in sense 1 Middle English descrien, descriven, descreven "to catch sight of, discover, discern," apparently developed from descriven (rarely descrien) "to describe, recount, characterize," borrowed from Anglo-French descrire, descriver, descrier "to describe, give an account of," going back to Latin dēscrībere "to represent by drawing, describe"; in sense 2 Middle English descrien "to announce, make known, reveal, betray," perhaps borrowed from Middle French descrier "to cry, make known," from des- de- + crier "to cry entry 1"

Note: The history of both semantic branches of this verb is difficult to characterize, given that the meanings of individual occurrences in Middle English are often not obvious and may overlap. Sense 2 is generally traced to Middle French, though evidence for the word in French texts is exiguous, and instances of this meaning contemporary with Middle English uses are lacking (see Dictionnaire du Moyen Français, on line). A putative descrier "to announce, proclaim" in the Grandes Chroniques de France (late 14th century) should be read descirer (modern déchirer) "to tear up" (referring to letters brought by Philip VI before the Parlement of Paris). There appears to be no connection of the Middle English word and Middle French descrier "to devalue, discredit," not attested before the 15th century (see decry).

Noun

derivative of descry entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1604, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

descry

verb

de·​scry

di-ˈskrī

descried; descrying

1

: to catch sight of

2

: to discover or detect by observation or investigation