Descry/dɪˈskraɪ/ Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Distant Spotting Used when something is recognized at a far distance, not up close. Standing on the cliff, I could just descry the ship on the horizon. Pro Tip 2/3Visual Discovery Implies putting effort into spotting something rather than seeing it casually. She squinted to descry the mountain peak through the fog. Pro Tip 3/3Literary Flair Often found in literature to evoke a sense of observation and discovery. The novel began as the hero descried a strange vessel approaching.