descry

UK: /dɪˈskraɪ/ US: (di skrī′)

Inflections of 'descry' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

descries

v 3rd person singular

descrying

v pres p

descried

v past

descried

v past p

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

de•scry  (di skrī′), v.t., -scried, -scry•ing. 

1. to see (something unclear or distant) by looking carefully;
   discern;
   espy:
   The lookout descried land.
2. to discover;
   perceive;
   detect.

• Old French de(s)crïer to proclaim, decry. See dis-¹, cry
• Middle English descrien 1250–1300

de•scri′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. notice.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

descry / dɪˈskraɪ/ verb ( -scries, -scrying, -scried)(transitive)

1. to discern or make out; catch sight of
2. to discover by looking carefully; detect

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French descrier to proclaim, decry