† discernancen.
Obsolete.
1. Distinction, difference. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > difference > [noun]
diversitya1340
difference1340
variancec1374
distancea1382
unlikenessa1387
variationc1405
discrepation?a1425
distinction1435
severaltyc1449
unlikelinessc1450
dissemblance1463
unlikelihood1483
alteritya1500
indifferencec1503
discrepancea1522
dissimilitude1532
differency1542
variety1552
discernment1570
disparitya1575
discrepancy1579
otherness1587
discernance1592
imparity1608
disanalogy1610
disresemblance1622
dislikeness1623
diff1624
inconformity1625
irresemblance1628
variousness1628
odds1642
disparation1654
aliety1656
disparility1656
disparateness1659
severality1664
nonconformity1672
unconformableness1712
dissimilarity1715
differentness1727
differ1787
allogeneitya1834
otherwiseness1890
otherliness1937
diversion-
1592 T. Nashe Pierce Penilesse (Brit. Libr. copy) sig. K4 Those bodies..are distinguisht by no difference of sex, because they are simple, and the discernaunce of sex belongs to bodies compound.
2. Discernment, discrimination.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > discernment, discrimination > [noun]
shedc950
skilla1200
skillwisenessa1200
doomc1374
subtilitya1398
subtiltyc1405
subtletya1425
dijudication1549
choice1583
decernment1586
quiddity1602
discerning1608
discernance1612
sensea1616
sense of things1648
tact1797
appreciation1810
kokum1848
1612 Mr. King tr. Benvenuto Passenger i. iv. 263 He..manifesteth, that either he hath but a blinde discernance [It. ò dal senso esser acciecato], or that in wisedome he is inferiour to a woman.
1650 M. Hill Acct. Plunderings Hereford To Rdr. sig. A2v How happy were it if the world were undeceaved in this particular, and could attaine to the true understanding and discernance of all things, untwisting all interests, unfolding all mysteries.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2013; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
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n.1592