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Distinct vs Determine - What's the difference?

distinct | determine |

As an adjective distinct

is capable of being perceived very clearly.

As a verb determine is

.

distinct

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Capable of being perceived very clearly.
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=July-August, author= Fenella Saunders
  • , title= Tiny Lenses See the Big Picture, magazine=(American Scientist) , passage=The single-imaging optic of the mammalian eye offers some distinct visual advantages. Such lenses can take in photons from a wide range of angles, increasing light sensitivity. They also have high spatial resolution, resolving incoming images in minute detail.}}
  • Different from one another (with the preferable adposition being "from").
  • * {{quote-book, year=1928, author=Lawrence R. Bourne, title=Well Tackled!
  • , chapter=13 citation , passage=“Yes, there are two distinct sets of footprints, both wearing rubber shoes—one I think ordinary plimsolls, the other goloshes,” replied the sergeant.}}
  • Noticeably different from others; distinctive.
  • Separate in place; not conjunct or united; with from .
  • * Clarendon
  • The intention was that the two armies which marched out together should afterward be distinct .
  • (obsolete) Distinguished; having the difference marked; separated by a visible sign; marked out; specified.
  • * Milton
  • Wherever thus created — for no place / Is yet distinct by name.
  • (obsolete) Marked; variegated.
  • * Spenser
  • The which [place] was dight / With divers flowers distinct with rare delight.

    Synonyms

    * prominent * separate * several (in dated sense)

    Antonyms

    * indistinct * (capable of being perceived very clearly) confusing * (different from one another) same

    determine

    English

    Alternative forms

    * (obsolete)

    Verb

    (determin)
  • To set the limits of.
  • * Bible, Acts xvii. 26
  • [God] hath determined the times before appointed.
  • * Francis Bacon
  • The knowledge of men hitherto hath been determined by the view or sight.
  • To ascertain definitely; to figure out.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-07-20, volume=408, issue=8845, magazine=(The Economist)
  • , title= Old soldiers? , passage=Whether modern, industrial man is less or more warlike than his hunter-gatherer ancestors is impossible to determine . The machine gun is so much more lethal than the bow and arrow that comparisons are meaningless.}}
  • To fix the form or character of; to shape; to prescribe imperatively; to regulate; to settle.
  • * J. Edwards
  • The character of the soul is determined by the character of its God.
  • * W. Black
  • something divinely beautiful that at some time or other might influence or even determine her course of life
  • To fix the course of; to impel and direct; with a remoter object preceded by to .
  • Someone else's will determined me to this course.
  • To bring to a conclusion, as a question or controversy; to settle authoritative or judicial sentence; to decide.
  • The court has determined the cause.
  • To resolve on; to have a fixed intention of; also, to cause to come to a conclusion or decision; to lead.
  • The news of his father's illness determined him to depart immediately.
  • (logic) To define or limit by adding a differentia.
  • (obsolete) To bring to an end; to finish.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Now, where is he that will not stay so long / Till his friend sickness hath determined me?

    Derived terms

    {{der3, determinant , determination , determiner , determinism , determinist , overdetermine , underdetermine}}