cern
LatinVariants
Related Roots
About This Root
From Latin cernere (to sift, separate, distinguish, decide). Produces words of perception and separation — discern (to distinguish clearly), discreet (carefully separated in judgment), discrete (individually separate), secret (set apart, hidden), and concern (to mix/sift together). The sifting metaphor underlies all: to judge is to separate wheat from chaff.
Associated Words
concern
To relate or belong to; to have reference to or connection with; to affect the interest of; to be of importance to; That which affects one’s welfare or happiness. A matter of interest to someone. The adposition before the matter of interest is usually over, about or for
concerned
Worried or anxious; involved or affected
concerning
Regarding; causing worry
discern
To perceive or distinguish something with the senses or mind
discernible
Able to be perceived or distinguished
discernibly
In a way that can be noticed or recognized
discerning
Having sharp judgment and perception; perceptive
discernment
The ability to judge and understand things clearly
discreet
Careful and tactful, avoiding embarrassment or unwanted attention
discreetly
In a careful, tactful way that avoids drawing attention
discrete
Individually separate and distinct; not continuous
discretely
As separate, distinct, and independent units
discretion
Careful judgment and tact; freedom to decide as one sees fit
discretionary
Left to one's own judgment or choice
excrement
Solid waste discharged from the body; feces
excrete
To discharge waste from the body
indiscernible
Impossible or very difficult to perceive or distinguish
indiscreet
Lacking caution or good judgment in speech or behavior
indiscreetly
Without caution or good judgment
not-so-secret
Not truly hidden or confidential
secret
Information kept hidden from others; not known or revealed
secretarial
Relating to the work of a secretary
secretary
A person handling clerical work; the head of a government department
secrete
To produce and release a substance from a gland; to hide
secretion
A substance released by a gland; the process of releasing it
secretive
Tending to hide information or keep things secret
secretly
In a hidden or covert manner
super-secret
Extremely or highly secret