discernible
UK[dɪˈsɜːnəbl̩]US[dɪˈsɜːrnəbl̩]
adj
able to be seen, heard, or recognized
Morpheme Breakdown
discern
ible
discern
to separate, distinguish
ible
Etymology
the word discernible is built upon the latin verb discernere, which itself is composed of dis- (apart) and cernere (to sift, separate, decide). this literal sense of separating things to distinguish them evolved into the abstract meaning of perceiving or recognizing differences. the suffix -ibilis was added to form an adjective meaning 'able to be distinguished or perceived'. thus, discernible logically describes something that can be perceived or distinguished by the senses or the mind.
Analysis
Structure: discern + ible
discern (from latin discernere, meaning 'to separate, distinguish'); ible (from latin suffix -ibilis, meaning 'able to be', forming adjectives)
Examples
there was a barely discernible path through the woods.
a discernible improvement in air quality was noted after the new regulations.
the influence of his early training is clearly discernible in his later work.