See distinctly (with the eyes or the mind); distinguish (an object or fact); discern.
transferred sense
Decree a person etc. to be or to do something by judicial sentence. (in the phrase “to decern in”, obsolete) To mulct in by decree of court.
Decree by judicial sentence that something be done.
intransitive
with simple object
To find out or observe (someone or something, especially if not easy to see) by spying or looking; to catch sight of; to see; to spot.
To see (someone or something) without foreplanning or unexpectedly.