Distinction vs Distinguish - What's the difference?
distinction | distinguish |
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]
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)
Distinguish is a related term of distinction.
As a noun distinction
is that which distinguishes; a single occurrence of a determining factor or feature, the fact of being divided; separation, discrimination.As a verb distinguish is
to see someone or something as different from others.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) confusiondistinguish
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?