Distinction vs Definition - What's the difference?
distinction | definition |
That which distinguishes; a single occurrence of a determining factor or feature, the fact of being divided; separation, discrimination.
The act of distinguishing, discriminating; discrimination.
* {{quote-book, year=1921, title=
, author=(Bertrand Russell), chapter=Lecture II
, passage=In spite of these qualifications, the broad distinction between instinct and habit is undeniable. To take extreme cases, every animal at birth can take food by instinct, before it has had opportunity to learn; on the other hand, no one can ride a bicycle by instinct, though, after learning, the necessary movements become just as automatic as if they were instinctive.}}
* {{quote-book, year=1911, title=
, chapter=Evidence
, passage=But, for practical purposes, it is possible to draw a distinction between a statement of facts observed and an expression of opinion as to the inference to be drawn from these facts, and the rule telling witnesses to state facts and not express opinions is of great value in keeping their statements out of the region of argument and conjecture.}}
Specifically, a feature that causes someone or something to stand out as being better; a mark of honour, rank, eminence or excellence; being distinguished.
* {{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Ben Travers), title=(A Cuckoo in the Nest)
, chapter=2 * 2013 , Daniel Taylor, Steven Gerrard goal against Poland ensures England will go to World Cup'' (in ''The Guardian , 15 October 2013)[http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/oct/15/england-poland-world-cup-qualifier]
(semantics) A statement of the meaning of a word or word group or a sign or symbol (dictionary definitions).
A statement expressing the essential nature of something; formulation
The action or process of defining.
The act of defining; determination of the limits.
A product of defining.
The action or power of describing, explaining, or making definite and clear.
Clarity of visual presentation, distinctness of outline or detail.
Clarity, especially of musical sound in reproduction.
Sharp demarcation of outlines or limits.
(bodybuilding) The degree to which individual muscles are distinct on the body.
(programming) A statement which provides a previous declaration with a value or body of a subroutine (in the case of function).
(mathematics) A statement that establishes the referent of a term or notation.
As nouns the difference between distinction and definition
is that distinction is that which distinguishes; a single occurrence of a determining factor or feature, the fact of being divided; separation, discrimination while definition is definition.distinction
English
Noun
(en noun)citation, passage=Mother
- Leighton Baines, playing with distinction again, sent over a left-wing cross with pace and accuracy. Welbeck, prominently involved all night, could not reach it but Rooney was directly behind him, flashing his header past Szczesny.
Derived terms
* contradistinction * distinction without a differenceAntonyms
* (that which distinguishes) confusiondefinition
English
(wikipedia definition)Noun
(en noun)- Her comic genius is beyond definition .
- The definition of a telescope.
- Improve the definition of an image.
- A jacket with distinct waist definition .