discernere

Discernere is a Latin verb meaning to distinguish, separate, or perceive. It denotes the mental act of discerning—perceiving differences, recognizing truth, or differentiating among options. It is a third-conjugation verb; the present infinitive is discernere, with typical forms such as discernō, discernis, discernit in the active voice.

Etymology and terminology: discernere is built from dis- “apart” plus cernere “to sift, perceive.” The root cern- carries the sense of judging or distinguishing and survives in English in discern, discernment, and related terms. In Latin, the verb can be used both literally (to discern objects) and figuratively (to discern truth from falsehood).

Usage and context: In classical Latin, discernere appears in discussions of distinguishing appearances from reality, evaluating differences, or judging arguments. In later scholastic and theological Latin, the term takes on more specialized senses, such as discernment of spirits—the capacity to distinguish genuine spiritual influence from deception. The verb is commonly transitive, taking a direct object or a nominal phrase, and can be used with adjectives or adverbs to indicate the quality of perception.

Legacy and influence: The verb gives rise to the English words discern and discernment, which retain the sense of careful judgment and the ability to recognize subtle differences. In philosophy, rhetoric, law, and theology, discernment is often described as a key cognitive or moral faculty, reflecting the enduring legacy of discernere in Western thought.