Descry

verb

To see something unclear or distant by looking very carefully
To discern, discover, or detect
To reveal or make known

Usage

Let's say you are day dreaming in an old library. As your gaze wanders, something catches your eye on a shelf in the back. Since it is something you've only descried from a distance, you leave your desk to investigate. When you reach the shelf, you now see that the book is a guide to secret codes - something that might help you to descry or discern hidden messages. You return to your seat and delve into its pages, pushing your 18th Century French History books to the wayside. Someone calls your name and you look up. It's your history professor coming over to chat. You quickly hide the book of codes under your desk just as she reaches you. She sees your history books and commends you for studying so hard, but you fear she might be able to descry beyond appearances. Can she detect your uneasiness? Can she tell that you gave up on studying for another pursuit?

Descry is a word that can take on multiple usages. You might descry or catch sight of something, seeing it just barely from afar—a flash of light through a fog or the glimpse of a person in a car passing by. You might descry or reveal a hidden code or message, staring at a word search puzzle or even reading a book. You might also descry or discern the true feelings and emotions of another person—being able to detect a false smile or realize a repressed excitement beyond the outward demeanor. While the definition of descry remains fairly consistent, to see something unclear by looking very carefully, the array of usages is expansive. It can refer to the reaches of sight, be applied in revealing hidden meanings, or even discerning emotions or qualities in other people. When you descry, you are seeing something unclear, discovering something half-hidden, and discerning it as it begins to emerge from the unknown.

Example: Hoping it was not just a mirage, the stranded sailor could just barely descry sails on the horizon.

Example: After hours of investigation, the detective descried a hidden message embedded in the canvas of the painting.

Example: Despite persistent denials from her son, Margaret had descried from his cheerful attitude and frequent disappearances that he probably had a secret girlfriend.

Origin

The word descry is believed to have come from French and Middle English origins, first used in the second half of the 13th century. It derives from the Middle English word descrien meaning to proclaim or reveal, which in turn was taken from the Anglo-French word descrier, an alteration of the Old French word decrier.

Derivative Words

Descrier: Descrier is a noun for one that descries, or discerns.

Example: Jordan was always an expert descrier, proving his reputation by finding a message hidden in his grandfather's will.

Describe: Describe is a verb that means to give an account of or depict in words.

Example: Shirley described the accident in such detail that we could picture how it happened as if we were there.

Descrying: This form is the gerund or present participle of descry.

Example: She looked at the faded words of the letter more closely, descrying something hidden between its lines.

Descried: This form is the past tense or past participle of descry.

Example: As daylight melted into the horizon, Riley descried the first stars faintly glimmering to life in the sky.

Descries: This is the 3^rd person present form of descry.

Example: While Jerry lives life plainly and sees things as they are, Jim always descries the hidden things as he goes about his day.

Similar Words

Espy is another verb with similar meaning as descry. While descry refers to seeing something slightly obstructed by any means—be it distance, a physical block, or something hidden—espy more specifically refers to seeing something or just glimpsing at a distance. For instance, a sailor might espy a storm approaching from afar, but he would descry the sails of a ship slightly blocked by the oncoming storm clouds.

Decry is a word that often gets confused with descry. While deriving from the same French origins with the word decrier, decry instead means to express strong disapproval of or depreciate publically. For example, it is common for political candidates to decry their opponents before an election, putting down their ideas and pointing out flaws.

In Literature

From Charles Dickens' Barnaby Rudge

'My devil-may-care acquaintance,' said Mr. Chester—'really if you do not draw some nicer distinctions, your career will be cut short with most surprising suddenness. Don't you know that the letter you brought to me, was directed to my son who resides in this very place? And can you descry no difference between his letters and those addressed to other people?'

Here, the use of descry takes part as a verb in an insult spoken by Mr. Chester, questioning the other man's ability to discern, or descry, to whom a letter should be delivered.

Mnemonic

If you are a good spy, you will descry.
The key to descry is to have a sharp eye.