What is the meaning of the word discern as used in the passage?

Question

As the sun began to set the island castaway was barely able to discern a ship on the horizon did that mean that somebody on the ship might be able to notice him too he jumped to his feet and fraquently wait his arms yelling over here over here

to detect

to search for

to reach open

Answer 1

In the passage you provided, the word "discern" means "to detect." The context indicates that the island castaway is struggling to see or notice the ship on the horizon. Therefore, "to detect" is the appropriate meaning.