Added 10 October 2026
decern
/dɪˈsɝn/ verb
Latin root: dēcernō First recorded: 1425 Wiktionary
verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about decern at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- To decide or determine (a matter disputed or doubtful), with simple object, with infinitive or object clause, or intransitive.
- To decree (something) by judicial sentence. To decree by judicial sentence that something be done. To decree a person etc. to be or to do something by judicial sentence. To mulct in by decree of court.
- To decree by judicial sentence that something be done.
Origin
First attested in late Middle English circa 1425; from the French décerner, from the Latin dēcernō (“to decide, pronounce a decision”), from dē (“of, from, away from”) + cernō (“to separate, distinguish”), whence the English cern. In Old French, the forms of décerner were frequently conflated with those of descerner, discerner; the two verbs were not clearly distinguished until the 16th century; hence, in English also, decern is found with the sense discern.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)