Descry, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Descried; p. pr. & vb. n. Descrying.]
Etymology: [OE. descrien, discrien, to espy, prob. from the proclaiming of what was espied, fr. OF. descrier to proclaim, cry down, decry, F. décrier. The word was confused somewhat with OF. descriven, E. describe, OF. descrivre, from L. describere. See Decry.]
1. To spy out or discover by the eye, as objects distant or obscure; to espy; to recognize; to discern; to discover. And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel. Judg. i. 23. Edmund, I think, is gone . . . to descry The strength o' the enemy. Shak. And now their way to earth they had descried. Milton.
2. To discover; to disclose; to reveal. [R.] His purple robe he had thrown aside, lest it should descry him. Milton.
Syn. -- To see; behold; espy; discover; discern.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Descry
, Discovery or view, as of an army seen at a distance. [Obs.] Near, and on speedy foot; the main descry Stands on the hourly thought. Shak.