|
|
| |
Definitions for: Distinguish
[v] mark as different; "We distinguish several kinds of maple"
[v] be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait; sometimes in a very positive sense; "His modesty distinguishes him form his peers"
[v] identify as in botany or biology, for example
[v] make conspicuous or noteworthy
[v] detect with the senses; "The fleeing convicts were picked out of the darkness by the watchful prison guards"; "I can't make out the faces in this photograph"
Webster (1913) Definition: Dis*tin"guish, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
Distinguished; p. pr. & vb. n. Distinguishing.] [F.
distinguer, L. distinguere, distinctum; di- = dis- +
stinguere to quench, extinguish; prob. orig., to prick, and
so akin to G. stechen, E. stick, and perh. sting. Cf.
Extinguish.]
1. Not set apart from others by visible marks; to make
distinctive or discernible by exhibiting differences; to
mark off by some characteristic.
Not more distinguished by her purple vest, Than by
the charming features of her face. --Dryden.
Milton has distinguished the sweetbrier and the
eglantine. --Nares.
2. To separate by definition of terms or logical division of
a subject with regard to difference; as, to distinguish
sounds into high and low.
Moses distinguished the causes of the flood into
those that belong to the heavens, and those that
belong to the earth. --T. Burnet.
3. To recognize or discern by marks, signs, or characteristic
quality or qualities; to know and discriminate (anything)
from other things with which it might be confounded; as,
to distinguish the sound of a drum.
We are enabled to distinguish good from evil, as
well as truth from falsehood. --Watts.
Nor more can you distinguish of a man, Than of his
outward show. --Shak.
4. To constitute a difference; to make to differ.
Who distinguisheth thee? --1 Cor. iv.
7. (Douay
version).
5. To separate from others by a mark of honor; to make
eminent or known; to confer distinction upon; -- with by
or for.``To distinguish themselves by means never tried
before.'' --Johnson.
Syn: To mark; discriminate; differentiate; characterize;
discern; perceive; signalize; honor; glorify.
Dis*tin"guish, v. i.
1. To make distinctions; to perceive the difference; to
exercise discrimination; -- with between; as, a judge
distinguishes between cases apparently similar, but
differing in principle.
2. To become distinguished or distinctive; to make one's self
or itself discernible. [R.]
The little embryo . . . first distinguishes into a
little knot. --Jer. Taylor.
Synonyms: describe, differentiate, discern, discover, key, key out, make out, mark, name, pick out, recognise, recognize, secern, secernate, separate, severalise, severalize, signalise, signalize, tell, tell apart, tell apart
See Also: assort, characterise, characterize, class, classify, compare, comprehend, contradistinguish, contrast, demarcate, discriminate, discriminate, dissociate, identify, individualise, individualize, know, know apart, label, mark, perceive, place, qualify, resolve, sex, single out, singularise, singularize, sort, sort out, stratify
|
|
Try our:
Scrabble Word Finder
Scrabble Cheat
Words With Friends Cheat
Hanging With Friends Cheat
Scramble With Friends Cheat
Ruzzle Cheat
Related Resources:
animals starting with b
m letter animals
|
