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-cern-, -cret- (Latin: separate, sift, distinguish, understand, decide; separated, set apart).

Used to express the ability a person has to distinguish something with the eyes and the mind. Related to -crit-; as in criticize, diacritical, critique, etc.

ascertain:
To find out something with certainty.
certain:
1. Having no doubts about something.
2. Definitely known, fixed, or settled.
3. Guaranteed to happen or to do something.
4. To check that something has been done or is the case
certainly:
1. Without any doubt or qualification on the part of the speaker.
2. Used to concede a point that has been made.
3. Used to indicate unreserved assent.
4. Used to indicate emphatic denial or refusal.
certainty:
1. A conclusion or outcome that is beyond doubt.
2. Someone who or something that is strongly expected to win or achieve something.
3. A compete lack of doubt about something; without any doubt.
certifiable:
1. Capable of being certified, e.g., as authentic, valid, or qualified.
2. Legally or medically declared to be affected by a psychiatric disorder.
certificate:
1. An official document that gives proof and details of something, e.g., personal status, educational achievements, ownership, or authenticity.
2. An official document awarded to someone who or something that has passed a test or examination or conforms to a required standard.
certify:
1. To state or confirm that something is true or correct.
2. To declare that someone or something has passed a test or achieved a certain standard.
3. In banking, to indicate on a check that there are sufficient funds to guarantee payment.
certiorari:
In law, a writ issued by a higher court to obtain records of a case from a lower court so that the case can be reviewed. From 15th century Late Latin, literally "to be informed", the passive of Latin certiorare "to inform", from, ultimately, certus "sure", the word occurs in the Latin version of the writ.
certitude:
1. The feeling of conviction about something, especially an opinion or religious faith.
2. Something that is certain to happen or about which someone can feel sure.
concern:
1. A reason to worry, or something that causes worry.
2. Emotions such as worry, compassion, sympathy, or regard for someone or something.
3. A matter that affects someone, or that someone has the right to be involved with.
concerned:
1. Worried or apprehensive, particularly about something such as a situation that is developing or that has newly arisen.
2. Caring and interested in general, or giving care and attention to a particular thing or area.
concerning:
To do with or involving something or someone.
decern:
Rare, same as discern.
decree:
1. An order with the power of legislation issued by a ruler or other person or group with authority.
2. In law, a ruling given by a court, especially a divorce, equity, or probate court.
discern:
1. To see something that is not very clear or obvious.
2. To understand something that is not immediately obvious.
3. To be able to tell the difference between two or more things.
discernible, discerable:
Able to be seen, recognized, or understood.
discerning:
Showing good judgment and good taste.
discreet:
1. Careful to avoid embarrassing or upsetting others.
2. Careful not to speak about anything that should be secret or confidential.
3. Subtle and circumspect, ensuring that no undue attention is attracted.
discreetly:
Taking care to avoid upsetting or embarrassing people, giving away anything confidential, or appearing immodest or flashy.
discrete:
Completely separate and unconnected.
discretion:
1. The good judgment and sensitivity needed to avoid embarrassing or upsetting others.
2. The freedom or authority to judge something or to make a decision about it.
diiscretionary:
1. Giving someone the freedom to make a decision according to individual circumstances.
2. Given according to the merits of an individual case, rather than being provided or awarded automatically.
3. Able to be used as desired without any stipulations.
excrement:
Waste material, particularly feces, discharged from the body.
excrete:
1. To isolate and discharge waste matter generated during metabolism, e.g., through urinating or defecating.
2. To eliminate waste matter from leaves and roots.
excretion:
The act or process of discharging waste matter from the tissues or organs.
2. Waste matter that has been discharged from an animal or a plant.
secern:
To identify or perceive something as separate.
secret:
1. Known by only a few people and intentionally withheld from general knowledge.
2. Known to very few people and consequently quiet and secluded.
secretary:
1. Someone who does general clerical and administrative work such as word-processing, filing, and arranging appointments for an individual or an organization; one entrusted with secrets; confidential officer.
secrete:
1. To produce and discharge a secretion.
2. To conceal somebody or something.