All 10 Uses
discern
in
Dante's Inferno -- translated by Cary
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- While to the lower space with backward step
I fell, my ken discern'd the form one of one,
Whose voice seem'd faint through long disuse of speech.†Canto 1.1-11 - grant me now to know
Whom here we view, and whence impell'd they seem
So eager to pass o'er, as I discern
Through the blear light?†Canto 1.1-11discern = notice or understand something - Dark and deep,
And thick with clouds o'erspread, mine eye in vain
Explor'd its bottom, nor could aught discern.†Canto 1.1-11 - That ignoble life,
Which made them vile before, now makes them dark,
And to all knowledge indiscernible.†Canto 1.1-11 *indiscernible = impossible or difficult to notice or understandstandard prefix: The prefix "in-" in indiscernible means not and reverses the meaning of discernible. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure. - If well thou note
This judgment, and remember who they are,
Without these walls to vain repentance doom'd,
Thou shalt discern why they apart are plac'd
From these fell spirits, and less wreakful pours
Justice divine on them its vengeance down.†Canto 1.1-11discern = notice or understand something - "Of all that I have shown thee, since that gate
We enter'd first, whose threshold is to none
Denied, nought else so worthy of regard,
As is this river, has thine eye discern'd,
O'er which the flaming volley all is quench'd."†Canto 1.12-22 - We from the wood
Were not so far remov'd, that turning round
I might not have discern'd it, when we met
A troop of spirits, who came beside the pier.†Canto 1.12-22 - Behind me I discern'd a devil black,
That running, up advanc'd along the rock.†Canto 1.12-22 - Down I stoop'd to look,
But my quick eye might reach not to the depth
For shrouding darkness; wherefore thus I spake:
"To the next circle, Teacher, bend thy steps,
And from the wall dismount we; for as hence
I hear and understand not, so I see
Beneath, and naught discern."†Canto 1.23-34discern = notice or understand something - CANTO XXXIV
"THE banners of Hell's Monarch do come forth
Towards us; therefore look," so spake my guide,
"If thou discern him."†Canto 1.23-34
Definitions:
-
(1)
(discern) to notice or understand something -- often something that is not obvious
- (2) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)