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Distinct vs Universal - What's the difference?

distinct | universal |

As adjectives the difference between distinct and universal

is that distinct is capable of being perceived very clearly while universal is of or pertaining to the universe.

As a noun universal is

(philosophy) a characteristic or property that particular things have in common.

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

    universal

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Of or pertaining to the universe.
  • Common to all members of a group or class.
  • *
  • *
  • Common to all society; world-wide
  • She achieved universal fame.
  • Cosmic; unlimited; vast; infinite
  • Useful for many purposes, e.g., universal wrench .
  • Derived terms

    * universalise, universalize * universal quantifier

    Antonyms

    * nonuniversal

    See also

    * (wikipedia "universal") * general * global

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (philosophy) A characteristic or property that particular things have in common.
  • *
  • * {{quote-book, year=1970, title=Speech acts, author=John R. Searle
  • , passage=We might also distinguish those expressions which are used to refer to individuals or particulars from those which are used to refer to what philosophers have called universals : e.g., to distinguish such expressions as "Everest" and "this chair" from "the number three", "the color red" and "drunkenness". citation

    See also

    * particular