descry Meaning, Definition & Usage

De*scry" transitive verb

Etymology

OE. descrien, discrien, to espy, prob. from the proclaiming of what was espied, fr. OF. descrier to proclaim, cry down, decry, F. décrier. The word was confused somewhat with OF. descriven, E. describe, OF. descrivre, from L. describere. See Decry.

Wordforms

imperfect & past participle Descried ; present participle & verbal noun Descrying

Definitions

1. To spy out or discover by the eye, as objects distant or obscure; to espy; to recognize; to discern; to discover.

   And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel. Judg. i. 23.

   Edmund, I think, is gone . . . to descry The strength o' the enemy. Shak.

   And now their way to earth they had descried. Milton.

2. To discover; to disclose; to reveal. R.

   His purple robe he had thrown aside, lest it should descry him. Milton.

   Syn. -- To see; behold; espy; discover; discern.

De*scry"

Definitions

1. , Discovery or view, as of an army seen at a distance. Obs.

   Near, and on speedy foot; the main descry Stands on the hourly thought. Shak.