Noun

(en noun)

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 citation , passage=Mother

* 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]

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.

Noun

(en noun)

A distinction; observation of difference.

* 1865 , John Grote, Exploratio philosophica: rough notes on modern intellectual science, Part 1 , University of Cambridge, page 50:

*:"We notice what we notice and make it a thing'' distinguishing it from what else is within our view, ''partly'' because, doubtless, it is of such or such a size and shape: but we require more impulse to the notice and distinguishment than ''this furnishes."

* 1833 ; Samuel Lewis Southard, Joseph Hendrickson, Thomas L. Shotwell, Edward Hopper; Argument of Samuel L. Southard: in the case of Stacy Decow and Joseph Hendrickson versus Thomas L. Shotwell , page 157:

*:"And first, in your doctrines of God, whom you say is to be known and believed on, as in the distinguishment of three persons...