Literary notes about Discerned (AI summary)
In literature, "discerned" frequently implies a deliberate, insightful act of noticing details that might easily escape a cursory glance. It is used to denote not just seeing, but perceiving subtle physical and emotional cues—such as the faint trace of manacles on a wrist [1] or the nuanced shift in tone hinting at hidden irritation [2]. The term enriches descriptions by capturing moments when characters gradually recognize elements of nature, distant figures, or the true state of affairs, whether it be a small vessel approaching the shore [3] or an obscure human presence in the dark [4]. This careful observation often serves as a catalyst for deeper understanding, lending a reflective quality to narratives and providing layers of meaning that resonate with the reader.
- He stretched out to me his other hand; I discerned the trace of manacles on his bared wrist.
— from The Last Man by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley - Anna spoke lightly, but irritation could be discerned in her tone.
— from Anna Karenina by graf Leo Tolstoy - Upon the eighth day he discerned a small vessel under full sail approaching Monte Cristo.
— from The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet - In the darkness of the hallway Jimmie discerned a knot of women talking volubly.
— from Maggie: A Girl of the Streets by Stephen Crane
