cerner
French → English
(tactical) To surround or encircle a place to prevent escape or communication; to hem in
Les gendarmes ont cerné la maison où le fugitif s'était caché.
(English) The police surrounded the house where the fugitive was hiding.
L'armée ennemie a cerné la ville pour couper tout ravitaillement.
(English) The enemy army encircled the city to cut off all supplies.
(comprehension) To grasp the different aspects of an idea or a person's character; to figure out
Ce personnage est très complexe et difficile à cerner.
(English) This character is very complex and difficult to figure out.
Les enquêteurs tentent de cerner la personnalité du suspect.
(English) Investigators are trying to understand the suspect's personality.
Entry ID: fr:en:cerner · Source: refined · Type: vocabulary