Answer: What's the difference between "decry" and "descry"?
Happy Monday, and welcome back to Fandom Grammar! Today we'll be covering the difference between two similar words, decry and descry. With examples from Saiyuki Gaiden.
The word decry is a verb, and it means "to speak disparagingly of; denounce as faulty or worthless; express censure of" or "to condemn or depreciate by proclamation." In other words, to decry something is to proclaim your strong disapproval of it:
Konzen spread out the latest reports from the Heavenly Army on his desk and frowned.
"Yes, yes," sighed Tenpou as he glanced at the papers. "I've seen the file. I know you decry the number of supply drops we require, but even Heaven's Army needs support. Maybe you should ask the Merciful Goddess to rethink the paperwork involved in resupply. It might save you some ink."
Descry, another verb, means "to see (something unclear or distant) by looking carefully; discern; espy" or "to discover; perceive; detect." So to descry something means you've discovered or detected it, likely through careful observation:
Kenren squinted at the faint dust cloud forming on the horizon, carefully noting over the next few minutes the way it rose and spread. "Column," he said over his shoulder, "not a storm. Looks to be several thousand strong, judging by the dust they're kicking up."
Tenpou nodded and turned to the men. "All right, boys," he shouted. "The general has descried our enemy's main force coming up through the valley. Form up!"
If you get the two mixed up, there's a good reason for it: both words come from the Old French descrier, "to proclaim" or "to publish." However, as is often the case with language (especially English), the way we use the words has shifted over time, so only decry reflects that original meaning.
So how do you remember the difference? When you decry something, you're telling someone about it. Think of shouting, speaking, or crying out in anger or disapproval. When you descry something, think about divining knowledge through looking at something carefully or deeply-much like a fortune teller scrying in a crystal ball to discover important information or events.
Sources:
"Decry" at dictionary.com
"Descry" at dictionary.com
The word decry is a verb, and it means "to speak disparagingly of; denounce as faulty or worthless; express censure of" or "to condemn or depreciate by proclamation." In other words, to decry something is to proclaim your strong disapproval of it:
Konzen spread out the latest reports from the Heavenly Army on his desk and frowned.
"Yes, yes," sighed Tenpou as he glanced at the papers. "I've seen the file. I know you decry the number of supply drops we require, but even Heaven's Army needs support. Maybe you should ask the Merciful Goddess to rethink the paperwork involved in resupply. It might save you some ink."
Descry, another verb, means "to see (something unclear or distant) by looking carefully; discern; espy" or "to discover; perceive; detect." So to descry something means you've discovered or detected it, likely through careful observation:
Kenren squinted at the faint dust cloud forming on the horizon, carefully noting over the next few minutes the way it rose and spread. "Column," he said over his shoulder, "not a storm. Looks to be several thousand strong, judging by the dust they're kicking up."
Tenpou nodded and turned to the men. "All right, boys," he shouted. "The general has descried our enemy's main force coming up through the valley. Form up!"
If you get the two mixed up, there's a good reason for it: both words come from the Old French descrier, "to proclaim" or "to publish." However, as is often the case with language (especially English), the way we use the words has shifted over time, so only decry reflects that original meaning.
So how do you remember the difference? When you decry something, you're telling someone about it. Think of shouting, speaking, or crying out in anger or disapproval. When you descry something, think about divining knowledge through looking at something carefully or deeply-much like a fortune teller scrying in a crystal ball to discover important information or events.
Sources:
"Decry" at dictionary.com
"Descry" at dictionary.com