DISTINCTION • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Distinction

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/dɪstˈɪŋkʃən/ Listen

noun

Distinction n.

1.

A marking off by visible signs; separation into parts; division. (Obs.) "The distinction of tragedy into acts was not known."

2.

The act of distinguishing or denoting the differences between objects, or the qualities by which one is known from others; exercise of discernment; discrimination. "To take away therefore that error, which confusion breedeth, distinction is requisite."

3.

That which distinguishes one thing from another; distinguishing quality; sharply defined difference; as, the distinction between real and apparent good. "The distinction betwixt the animal kingdom and the inferior parts of matter."

4.

Estimation of difference; regard to differences or distinguishing circumstance. "Maids, women, wives, without distinction, fall."

5.

Conspicuous station; eminence; superiority; honorable estimation; as, a man of distinction. "Your country's own means of distinction and defense."

Synonyms: Difference; variation, variety; contrast; diversity; contrariety; disagreement; discrimination; preference; superiority; rank; note; eminence.

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Etymology of 'Distinction'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Distinction" Quotes from Famous Books

... and contentment. The ruddy brick floor smiled up at the smoky ceiling; the oaken settles, shiny with long wear, exchanged cheerful glances with each other; plates on the dresser grinned at pots on the shelf, and the merry firelight flickered and played over everything without distinction. ...

— The Wind in the Willows • Kenneth Grahame

... rambling, and incommodious. A property of a thousand a year belonged to it, which property had descended, for lack of male heirs, on a female. There were mercantile families in the district boasting twice the income, but the Keeldars, by virtue of their antiquity, and their distinction of lords of the manor, took the ...

— Shirley • Charlotte Bronte

... in recent years asserted that it was not customary in the dialect which Jesus spoke to make distinction between "the son of man" and "man," since the expression commonly used for "man" would be literally translated "son of man." It is asserted, moreover, that if our gospels be read substituting "man" for "the Son of Man" wherever it appears, ...

— The Life of Jesus of Nazareth • Rush Rhees

... there is really such a thing as existence without a carriage and horses?"—"I assure you it is perfectly new to me to find that an opera-box is not a necessity. It is a luxury. In theory one can really never tell the distinction between luxuries and necessities."—"How absurd! At one time I thought hair was given us only to furnish a profession to hair-dressers; just as we wear artificial flowers to support the flower-makers."—"Upon ...

— Balcony Stories • Grace E. King

... assumed by the senses as the cause. The word gentleman has not any correlative abstract to express the quality. Gentility is mean, and gentilesse is obsolete. But we must keep alive in the vernacular the distinction between fashion, a word of narrow and often sinister meaning, and the heroic character which the gentleman imports. The usual words, however, must be respected; they will be found to contain the root of the matter. The point of distinction in all this ...

— Essays, Second Series • Ralph Waldo Emerson

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