secern: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareFormal, Technical/Literary
Quick answer
What does “secern” mean?
To separate or distinguish, especially in a physiological context (to secrete).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To separate or distinguish, especially in a physiological context (to secrete).
To distinguish or set apart conceptually; to perceive or recognize a difference.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional difference in usage; the word is equally rare and formal in both dialects.
Connotations
High-register, academic, or antiquated literary connotations.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both British and American English; it is a dictionary word rarely encountered in contemporary speech or writing.
Grammar
How to Use “secern” in a Sentence
secern (sth) (from sth)secern between A and BVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “secern” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The old scholar could still secern the subtle nuances in the medieval text.
- Glands once said to secern hormones are now described as secreting them.
American English
- It is a lawyer's skill to secern relevant from irrelevant evidence.
- The early theory held that the organ secerned a vital fluid.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Might appear in historical, philosophical, or biological texts; otherwise exceedingly rare.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Archaic in medical/biological contexts (replaced by 'secrete').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “secern”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “secern”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “secern”
- Using it in place of the more common 'discern' or 'secrete'.
- Assuming it is a standard, current synonym for 'distinguish'.
- Incorrect conjugation: 'secerned', 'secerning'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an extremely rare and formal word, largely considered archaic or literary.
They are synonyms meaning 'to distinguish', but 'discern' is the standard, common word, while 'secern' is rare and formal.
Yes, but this is an archaic biological usage. The modern term is 'secrete'.
For active use, no. It's important for advanced learners to recognize its meaning when encountered in older texts, but 'distinguish' or 'discern' should be used in your own speech and writing.
To separate or distinguish, especially in a physiological context (to secrete).
Secern is usually formal, technical/literary in register.
Secern: in British English it is pronounced /sɪˈsɜːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /səˈsɝːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'SECERN' as 'SEE-CERN' – at CERN (the particle physics lab), scientists work to SECERN (distinguish) the properties of fundamental particles.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISCERNMENT IS FILTERING or SEPARATING IS DISTINGUISHING
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'secern' most likely to be found today?