Distinguish
[dɪ'stɪŋgwɪʃ] or [dɪ'stɪŋɡwɪʃ]
Definition
(verb.) mark as different; 'We distinguish several kinds of maple'.
(verb.) be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait; sometimes in a very positive sense; 'His modesty distinguishes him from his peers'.
Typist: Nora--From WordNet
Definition
(v. t.) Not set apart from others by visible marks; to make distinctive or discernible by exhibiting differences; to mark off by some characteristic.
(v. t.) To separate by definition of terms or logical division of a subject with regard to difference; as, to distinguish sounds into high and low.
(v. t.) To recognize or discern by marks, signs, or characteristic quality or qualities; to know and discriminate (anything) from other things with which it might be confounded; as, to distinguish the sound of a drum.
(v. t.) To constitute a difference; to make to differ.
(v. t.) To separate from others by a mark of honor; to make eminent or known; to confer distinction upon; -- with by or for.
(v. i.) To make distinctions; to perceive the difference; to exercise discrimination; -- with between; as, a judge distinguishes between cases apparently similar, but differing in principle.
(v. i.) To become distinguished or distinctive; to make one's self or itself discernible.
Typed by Felix
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. a. [1]. Characterize, mark, indicate by a mark, mark out.[2]. Discriminate, discern, perceive, tell, know.[3]. Separate, divide.[4]. Signalize, make famous, make celebrated, make known, bring into notice.
v. n. Make distinction, show the difference.
Editor: Peter
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Discern, descry, perceive, characterize, make_famous, know, discriminate, see,discover, separate, divide, dissimilate, differentiate
ANT:Miss, overlook, confound, confuse
Checked by Keith
Definition
v.t. to mark off set apart (often with from): to recognise by characteristic qualities: to discern critically: to separate by a mark of honour: to make eminent or known.—v.i. to make or show distinctions or differences to recognise the difference (with from between).—adj. Disting′uishable that may be capable of being distinguished.—adv. Disting′uishably.—p.adj. Disting′uished illustrious.—n. Disting′uisher.—p.adj. Disting′uishing peculiar.—n. Disting′uishment (Shak.) distinction.
Typed by Anton
Examples
- And letting down the side-glass to distinguish, 'Tis Crawford's, Crawford's barouche, I protest! Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
- The night was so dark that the men could not distinguish one from another except by the light of the flashes of their muskets. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- The bacteria are further divided into species, and names are given them to distinguish the different forms. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- In a tree we can distinguish this or that branch, though at the actual fork the two unite and blend together. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- Julia put her glass to her eye as usual; being remarkably short-sighted she could distinguish nothing without it. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- These threads are proposed as prizes for those persons whom the emperor has a mind to distinguish by a peculiar mark of his favour. Jonathan Swift. Gulliver's Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World.
- At first it was a heavy sense of loss and sorrow, wherein I could distinguish little else. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- His whole stock, therefore, is distinguished into two parts. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- I never listened to a distinguished preacher in my life without a sort of envy. Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
- A cadet of the house was an officer of the great Duke and distinguished in the famous Saint Bartholomew conspiracy. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- The two theories need to be held together, yet clearly distinguished. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- Restrain him,' cried Mr. Snodgrass; 'Winkle, Tupman--he must not peril his distinguished life in such a cause as this. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- Distinguished scientists from every part of Europe seek him eagerly. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- Mr Lammle was proud to be so soon distinguished by this special commendation to Miss Podsnap's favour. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- The deepest revolt implied in the term syndicalism is against the impersonal, driven quality of modern industry--against the destruction of that pride which alone distinguishes work from slavery. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- They had not then learned, as I am told, to haggle for bargains with the pertinacity which now distinguishes them. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- I know nobody who distinguishes characters better. Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
- Remains of the same sort of art that distinguishes Cnossos and Mycen? are to be found scattered over Asia Minor. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- The employment of a high-pitched musical note in the telephone is also an advantage because its extreme regularity distinguishes it from the marked irregularity of the stray waves. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- It is this conjunction, which chiefly distinguishes these affections from pride and humility. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- In all human action not that which is common to man and the animals is the characteristic element, but that which distinguishes him from them. Plato. The Republic.
- The difficulty in distinguishing variable species is largely due to the varieties mocking, as it were, other species of the same genus. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- I had come in with an idea of distinguishing myself rather, conceiving that I was very well prepared; but it turned out to be quite a mistake. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- I mentioned to Mr. Pumblechook that I wished to have my new clothes sent to his house, and he was ecstatic on my so distinguishing him. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- I heard of your distinguishing yourself. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Senefelder had advanced thus far, he had not yet made application of the chemical properties of ink and water, which constitute the distinguishing characteristics of Lithography. Frederick C. Bakewell. Great Facts.
- Its distinguishing features are certain modifications in the distribution of the mass of protective armor of the ship. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- The wish of distinguishing her, as far as civility permitted, was very evident, though it could not often proceed beyond a look. Jane Austen. Emma.
Checker: Vivian