Distinguish definition
To separate or mark off by differences; perceive or show the difference in; differentiate.
verb
To cause (oneself) to be respected or eminent.
They have distinguished themselves as dedicated social workers.
verb
To make famous or eminent; give distinction to.
To distinguish oneself in battle.
verb
To be an essential characteristic of; characterize.
verb
To perceive as being different or distinct.
Can you distinguish a pattern in this behavior?
verb
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To perceive distinctly; discern.
The lookout distinguished the masts of ships on the horizon.
verb
To demonstrate or describe as being different or distinct.
A scientist who distinguished four species of the plant.
verb
To be an identifying characteristic of; make noticeable or different.
These spices distinguish this style of Asian cooking.
verb
To perceive or indicate differences; discriminate.
Can the child distinguish between right and wrong?
verb
To perceive clearly; recognize plainly by any of the senses.
verb
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To separate and classify.
verb
The definition of distinguish is to recognize differences, or to be identified as a characteristic of something, or to earn a position of status or high esteem.
When you can tell the difference between white and yellow, this is an example of when you distinguish.
When a person is given the title Teacher of the Year, this is an example of when you honor or distinguish someone.
verb
In a judicial decision, or an argument such as a brief in support of a particular legal outcome, to note or argue that a prior decision of the same or another court is inapplicable as precedent, because of significant differences in the facts or in the legal posture of the two cases.
verb
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To make a distinction (between or among)
verb
Origin of distinguish
- Alteration of obsolete distingue from Middle English distinguen from Old French distinguer from Latin distinguere to separate steig- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- From Middle English distingwen, from Old French distinguer, from Latin distinguere (“to separate, divide, distinguish, set off, adorn, literally mark off”), from di- for dis- (“apart”) + stinguere; see sting, stigma, style. Compare extinguish.
From Wiktionary