All 6 Uses of
discern
in
Oliver Twist
- But the magistrate was half blind and half childish, so he couldn't reasonably be expected to discern what other people did.
Chpt 3 *discern = to see or understand something that is not obvious
- It grew so dark, that the figures on the dial-plate were scarcely discernible; but there the two old gentlemen continued to sit, in silence, with the watch between them.†
Chpt 14
- The ceiling was blackened, to prevent its colour from being injured by the flaring of the lamps; and the place was so full of dense tobacco smoke, that at first it was scarcely possible to discern anything more.†
Chpt 26
- Sikes, again looking round, could discern that the men who had given chase were already climbing the gate of the field in which he stood; and that a couple of dogs were some paces in advance of them.†
Chpt 28
- Catching up the light, they made the best of their way home, at a good round trot; and long after their dusky forms had ceased to be discernible, the light might have been seen twinkling and dancing in the distance, like some exhalation of the damp and gloomy atmosphere through which it was swiftly borne.†
Chpt 28
- The sides and brinks of the ditches were of damp clay; but in no one place could they discern the print of men's shoes, or the slightest mark which would indicate that any feet had pressed the ground for hours before.†
Chpt 35
Definition:
-
(discern) to notice or understand something -- often something that is not obvious