discernment

  • 1Discernment — is a term used to describe the activity of determining the value and quality of a certain subject or event. Typically, it is used to describe the activity of going past the mere perception of something, to making detailed judgments about that… …

    Wikipedia

  • 2discernment — discernment, discrimination, perception, penetration, insight, acumen are comparable when they denote keen intellectual vision. All imply power to see below the surface and to understand what is not evident to the average mind. Discernment… …

    New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • 3Discernment — Dis*cern ment, n. [Cf. F. discernement.] 1. The act of discerning. [1913 Webster] 2. The power or faculty of the mind by which it distinguishes one thing from another; power of viewing differences in objects, and their relations and tendencies;… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 4discernment — I noun acuity, acumen, acuteness, apperception, appreciation, ascertainment, astuteness, clairvoyance, cleverness, cognition, comprehension, conclusion, conspection, diagnosis, discovery, discretion, discrimination, farsightedness, good sense,… …

    Law dictionary

  • 5discernment — (n.) 1580s; see DISCERN (Cf. discern) + MENT (Cf. ment) …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 6discernment — [di zʉrn′mənt, dis sʉrn′mənt] n. 1. an act or instance of discerning 2. the power of discerning; keen perception or judgment; insight; acumen …

    English World dictionary

  • 7discernment — noun Date: 1586 1. the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure ; skill in discerning 2. an act of discerning Synonyms: discernment, discrimination, perception, penetration, insight, acumen mean a power to see what is not …

    New Collegiate Dictionary

  • 8discernment — di|scern|ment [dıˈsə:nmənt US ə:r ] n [U] formal 1.) the ability to make good judgments about people or about art, music, style etc ▪ the woman s taste and discernment 2.) when you notice or understand something ▪ the discernment of opportunities …

    Dictionary of contemporary English

  • 9discernment — [[t]dɪsɜ͟ː(r)nmənt[/t]] N UNCOUNT Discernment is the ability to judge which things of a particular kind are good and which are bad. ...their lack of discernment and acceptance of inferior quality. Syn: judgement …

    English dictionary

  • 10discernment —    This word (from the Latin discernere, meaning to distinguish or to sift ) refers to the process of evaluating available options and then making a decision. Discernment of spirits refers to the process of deciding whether a course of action is… …

    Glossary of theological terms