Descry

Descry is a verb meaning to catch sight of something that is not readily visible, to discern or detect, or to make known or reveal something hidden. In its primary sense, it implies careful observation that allows one to distinguish a distant shape, object, or detail. It can also be used metaphorically to mean detecting a pattern, motive, or meaning that is not immediately obvious.

Etymology: The term comes from Middle English descryen, from Old French descrier. The exact origin beyond that is uncertain, but the modern senses are attested from the 14th century onward. The word is distinct from decry, a different verb with the sense to condemn, though the two are often confused in spelling.

Usage: In contemporary writing, descry is relatively formal or literary, and is most likely encountered in period literature, rhetoric, or analytic prose. The verb is transitive: one can descry something (to catch sight of it) or descry a trend or motive (to discern or reveal). Present tense: descry / descries; past tense: descried; present participle: descrying or descrying (variant spellings).

Examples: From the hill, they could descry the river winding through the plain. The analyst descried a gradual pattern in the data. In the tale, the detective could descried a hidden motive behind the alibi.