decern

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Pronunciation

• (America) enPR: dĭsûrnʹ, IPA: /dɪˈsɝn/
• (RP) enPR: dĭsûrnʹ, IPA: /dɪˈsɜːn/

Verb

decern (decerns, present participle decerning; past and past participle decerned)

1. decide; determine; decree.
   1. (obsolete, transitive) Decide; determine (a matter dispute or doubtful).
      1. with simple object
      2. with infinitive or object clause
      3. intransitive
   2. (transitive) Decree by judicial sentence. Now a technical term of Scottish judicature; the use of the word decerns being necessary to constitute a decree.
      1. with simple object
      2. Decree by judicial sentence that something be done.
      3. Decree a person etc. to be or to do something by judicial sentence.  (in the phrase “to decern in”, obsolete) To mulct in by decree of court.
         • 1668 July 3rd, James Dalrymple, “Thomas Rue contra Andrew Houſtoun” in The Deciſions of the Lords of Council & Seſſion I (Edinburgh, 1683), pages 547–548 ↗

           He purſued Andrew Houſtoun upon his promiſe, to give him the like Sallary for the next year, and in abſence obtained him to be holden as confeſt and Decerned.

      4. intransitive
      5. transferred sense
2. discern.
   1. (obsolete, transitive) distinguish or separate by their difference (things that differ, one thing from another).
      1. (intransitive) Distinguish; discriminate between.
   2. See distinctly (with the eye or the mind); distinguish (an object or fact); discern.

Related terms

• decernent (obsolete)

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