See Also: Distinction(medicine)
distinction(dictionary)
distinction(dictionary)
fact-value distinction(encyclopedia)
analytic-synthetic distinction(encyclopedia)
Jordan's Food Of Distinction(tourism)

distinction (iou)



distinction noun. ME.
[Old & mod. French from Latin distinctio(n-), from distinct- pa. ppl stem of distinguere: see DISTINGUISH, -ION.]
Each of the parts into which a whole is divided; a subdivision; a category. obsolete exc. Hist. ME.
b. Rank, social class. E-M18.
The action of distinguishing or discriminating; the noting or making of a difference between things; the result of such action, a difference so made or appreciated. ME.
a distinction without a difference an artificially created distinction, where no real difference exists.
E. A. Freeman A distinction is drawn between the rule of William himself and the rule of his oppressive lieutenants. C. Geikie Jesus..teaches universal love without distinction of race, merit, or rank.
The action of dividing; the fact of being divided; division, partition. LME-E18.
Dryden The distinction of tragedy into acts.
b. Punctuation of a sentence; a punctuation mark. M16-M17.
The condition of being different or distinct; an instance of this, a difference. LME.
R. Macaulay He has a keen..insight into the distinction between essentials and non-essentials. A. Moorehead The social distinctions remained: Burke and Wills were officers.., Gray and King were men.
Something that differentiates; a distinguishing feature or property. LME.
J. Butler It may be spoken of as..the distinction of the present [age] to profess a contracted spirit.
The ability to perceive differences; discernment, discrimination. LME-M18.
The quality of being clearly perceptible; clarity of perception. Formerly also, the process of making clear to the senses. Now rare. LME.
Steele All the several Voices lost their Distinction, and rose up in a confused Humming. V. Woolf I see you with extreme distinction.
(An instance of) excellence that sets a person or thing apart from others; (a) distinctive merit or good quality. Also, pre-eminent rank or position. L17.
Burke The chase of honours and distinction. L. Strachey He had served with distinction in the war against Napoleon. W. S. Maugham Thick waving hair only sufficiently greying to add to the distinction of his appearance. A. J. P. Taylor New plays of distinction.
b. In certain examinations: an outstandingly good mark or grade. M20.
The showing of special honour or preferential regard. Also, an instance of this; a mark of honour. E18.
James Harris For grammatical knowledge, we ought to mention with distinction the learned prelate, Dr. Lowth. W. S. Churchill The new distinctions which have been created by His Majesty for service in the war.