Discern (verb)

1. Perceive or recognize (something); become aware of.
2. Detect or make out with difficulty.
3. Distinguish (something) as being different from something else.
4. Make a judgment about something.

Origin:

Late middle english: from old french discerner, from latin discernere, from dis- (expressing separation) + cernere "sift, separate".

Examples:

1. He discerned movement in the shadows.
2. She was able to discern the shape of the object in the dark.
3. I can"t discern what he"s trying to say.
4. It is difficult to discern the truth from the lies.
5. The expert was able to discern the fake from the real.