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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Discern(e, v. Also: dyscerne, discirne, disserne. [ME. discerne, disserne (14th c.), OF. diss-, discerner, L. discernere. Also variant of Decern v.]

1. intr. To distinguish; to recognize or make a difference; to perceive.1456 Hay I. 301/7 (to discerne betuix richt and wrang). Ib. II. 155/2 (to discerne betuix the askingis of parties). c1490 Irland Asl. MS. I. 19/27 (to discerne betuix veniale and dedly syn). c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlviii. 128 (discirning all thair fassionis and effeiris). 1513 Doug. iii. iii. 102 (that the nycht from the day he mycht discern). 1551 Hamilton Cat. 45 (discerne the verite of our faith). 1558-66 Knox II. 418 (we can nocht dyscerne the erle from the abbot). 1592 Acts III. 554/2 (to distinguische and discerne thame with congruent differences).

2. To decern, decide, settle. 1456 Hay I. 111/4.
In thir casis … the Pape may discern and juge were to be maid 1466 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 396.
To delyuir and discerne the said actioun and finaly ende it 1493 Liber Aberbr. 277.
The saidis assysowris may … discern, end, [and] conclude apon the werra rychtows marchis 1533 Bell. Livy I. 154/22.
Thai tuke audacite to decerne [v.r. disserne] the chance of batall be the swerde a1578 Pitsc. I. 78 h.
Hou it was discernit in Parliament that thay wald revenge the battell of Sark 1596 Dalr. II. 218/27.
The actioune tha discerne … with bow and brand 1617 Urie Baron Ct. 24.
To hauld courtis and to discerne thairwpone