discernable

The word "discernable" is built upon the Latin verb discernere, which itself is a compound of the prefix dis-, meaning "apart," and the verb cernere, meaning "to sift, separate, or decide." This literal sense of separating things apart to make a judgment evolved into the abstract meaning of perceiving or recognizing something clearly. The suffix -able, of Latin origin, was later attached to the verb "discern" to form an adjective meaning "capable of being discerned." Thus, the modern term retains the core logic of something being perceptible or distinguishable to the senses or the mind.

Structure: discern + able - discern: From Latin discernere (to separate, distinguish), from dis- (apart) + cernere (to sift, separate, decide). In this word, it functions as the verb root meaning "to perceive or distinguish." - able: From Latin -abilis, a suffix forming adjectives meaning "capable of, fit for, tending to." In this word, it functions as a suffix meaning "able to be."