discernment

discernment
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 evident to the average mind. discernment stresses accuracy (as in reading character or motives or appreciating art) <
the discernment to know true friends
>
. discrimination stresses the power to distinguish and select what is true or appropriate or excellent <
the discrimination that develops through listening to a lot of great music
>
. perception implies quick and often sympathetic discernment (as of shades of feeling) <
a novelist of keen perception into human motives
>
. penetration implies a searching mind that goes beyond what is obvious or superficial <
lacks the penetration to see the scorn beneath their friendly smiles
>
. insight suggests depth of discernment coupled with understanding sympathy <
a documentary providing insight into the plight of the homeless
>
. acumen implies characteristic penetration combined with keen practical judgment <
a director of reliable box-office acumen
>
.

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • Discernment — 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

  • discernment — 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

  • Discernment — 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

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

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

  • discernment — [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

  • discernment — 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

  • discernment — [[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

  • discernment —    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

  • discernment — Synonyms and related words: acuity, acumen, acuteness, apperception, astuteness, clear sight, cogency, color vision, cone vision, critical discernment, day vision, daylight vision, discrimination, eye, eye mindedness, eyesight, farseeingness,… …   Moby Thesaurus

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