Distinction
[dɪ'stɪŋ(k)ʃ(ə)n] or [dɪ'stɪŋkʃən]
Definition
(noun.) a distinguishing difference; 'he learned the distinction between gold and lead'.
(noun.) a distinguishing quality; 'it has the distinction of being the cheapest restaurant in town'.
Typed by Garrett--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) A marking off by visible signs; separation into parts; division.
(n.) The act of distinguishing or denoting the differences between objects, or the qualities by which one is known from others; exercise of discernment; discrimination.
(n.) That which distinguishes one thing from another; distinguishing quality; sharply defined difference; as, the distinction between real and apparent good.
(n.) Estimation of difference; regard to differences or distinguishing circumstance.
(n.) Conspicuous station; eminence; superiority; honorable estimation; as, a man of distinction.
Editor: Peter
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [1]. Discrimination, notation of difference.[2]. Repute, reputation, celebrity, note, name, fame, renown, account, credit, respectability, eminence, superiority.
Edited by Hamilton
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Difference, separation, dignity, eminence
ANT:Unity, identity, debasement, insignificance, degradation
Checker: Rowena
Definition
n. separation or division: that which distinguishes or gives distinction: difference: eminence: characteristic dignity and elegance of style: honourable treatment.
Checker: Sylvia
Examples
- Simple perceptions or impressions and ideas are such as admit of no distinction nor separation. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- So we who are democrats need not believe that the people are necessarily right in their choice: some of us are always in the minority, and not a little proud of the distinction. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- The distinction was too great. Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
- Over most of the area of Western Central Asia and Persia and Mesopotamia, the ancient distinction of nomad and settled population remains to this day. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- It is of assistance to connect philosophy with thinking in its distinction from knowledge. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- These articles were brought to me by Skyresh Bolgolam in person attended by two under-secretaries, and several persons of distinction. Jonathan Swift. Gulliver's Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World.
- Their religion is a worship of God in Trinity, that is of Wisdom, Love and Power, but without any distinction of persons. Plato. The Republic.
- The distinction, which we often make betwixt POWER and the EXERCISE of it, is equally without foundation. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- You saw that although it was a case of a frontier ruler, yet there was an air of distinction and elegance. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- This distinction existed not for him, however, and he was quite satisfied with the English phrase. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- While the distinction is often thought to be intrinsic and absolute, it is really historical and social. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- The Moor who has made a pilgrimage to Mecca is entitled to high distinction. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- Certainly, if years of residence may establish a claim to so--ha--honourable a title, I may accept the--hum--conferred distinction. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- Divorce was made as easy as marriage; the distinction of legitimate and illegitimate children was abolished. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- Many of these pioneer students and workmen became afterward large and successful contractors, or have filled positions of distinction as managers and superintendents of central stations. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- I couldn't make distinctions there and then. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- It would not do, of course, to say that all these distinctions persisted in full technical definiteness. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- But these distinctions and definitions are faulty in very considerable articles. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- Education is the laboratory in which philosophic distinctions become concrete and are tested. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- I doubt you must have been a solitary prisoner to understand these perplexed distinctions. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- What distinctions people draw! Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- And Betteredge, oblivious of all respect for social distinctions, was peeping over Mr. Bruff's shoulder. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- We don't recognise such distinctions here. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- Lacking qualitative distinctions, nature lacked significant variety. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- Germany, the most methodical of European countries, had in the Middle Ages a very clear conception of the fixity of such distinctions. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- I would suggest to such doubters certain obvious distinctions; I would remind them of certain simple truths. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- They were mostly drawn from that which, when such distinctions existed, was denominated the lower rank of society. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- He may not even be increasing his ability to make accurate distinctions among geometrical forms, to say nothing of ability to observe in general. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- She drew no distinctions. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- And what right have you, sir, to make such distinctions? Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
Edited by Cary