Diffuse vs Distinguish - What's the difference?
diffuse | distinguish |
To spread over or through as in air, water, or other matter, especially by fluid motion or passive means.
* Whewell
To be spread over or through as in air, water, or other matter, especially by fluid motion or passive means.
Everywhere or throughout everything; not focused or concentrated.
To see someone or something as different from others.
* {{quote-book, author=De Lacy O'Leary, title=, year=1922
, passage=It had begun to take a leading place even in the days of the Ptolemies, and in scientific, as distinguished from purely literary work, it had assumed a position of primary importance early in the Christian era.}}
* {{quote-magazine, year=2012, month=March-April
, author=(Jeremy Bernstein)
, title=A Palette of Particles
, volume=100, issue=2, page=146
, magazine=(American Scientist)
To see someone or something clearly or distinctly.
To make oneself noticeably different or better from others through accomplishments.
* 1784 : William Jones, The Description and Use of a New Portable Orrery, &c. ,
(obsolete) To make to differ.
* Bible, 1 Cor. iv. 7 (Douay version)
As verbs the difference between diffuse and distinguish
is that diffuse is while distinguish is to see someone or something as different from others.diffuse
English
Etymology 1
(etyl), from (etyl) diffusus, past participle ofVerb
(diffus)- We find this knowledge diffused among all civilized nations.
- Food coloring diffuses in water.
- The riot diffused quite suddenly.
Derived terms
* diffuserEtymology 2
(etyl) diffususAdjective
(en adjective)- Such a diffuse effort is unlikely to produce good results.
Derived terms
* diffuselydistinguish
English
Verb
citation, passage=The physics of elementary particles in the 20th century was distinguished by the observation of particles whose existence had been predicted by theorists sometimes decades earlier.}}
PREFACE
- THE favourable reception the Orrery has met with from Per?ons of the fir?t di?tinction, and from Gentlemen and Ladies in general, has induced me to add to it ?everal new improvements in order to give it a degree of Perfection; and di?tingui?h it from others; which by Piracy, or Imitation, may be introduced to the Public.
- Who distinguisheth thee?