What does Distinction mean?
Definitions for Distinction
dɪˈstɪŋk ʃəndis·tinc·tion
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word Distinction.
Princeton's WordNet
differentiation, distinctionnoun
a discrimination between things as different and distinct
"it is necessary to make a distinction between love and infatuation"
eminence, distinction, preeminence, notenoun
high status importance owing to marked superiority
"a scholar of great eminence"
distinctionnoun
a distinguishing quality
"it has the distinction of being the cheapest restaurant in town"
distinctionnoun
a distinguishing difference
"he learned the distinction between gold and lead"
Wiktionary
distinctionnoun
That which distinguishes; a single occurrence of a determining factor or feature, the fact of being divided; separation, discrimination.
distinctionnoun
The act of distinguishing, discriminating; discrimination
distinctionnoun
specifically, a feature that that causes someone or something to stand out as being better; a mark of honour, rank, eminence or excellence; being distinguished.
Etymology: From (12th century) distinction, from accusative distinctionem, action noun of distinguo. Used in English from the late 14th century.
Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
Distinctionnoun
Etymology: distinctio, Latin.
This faculty of perception puts the distinction betwixt the animal kingdom and the inferior parts of matter. John Locke.
Maids, women, wives, without distinction fall;
The sweeping deluge, love, comes on, and covers all. Dryd.This fierce abridgment
Hath to it circumstantial branches, which
Distinction should be rich in. William Shakespeare, Cymbeline.The distinction of it into acts was not known unto them; or, if it were, it is yet so darkly delivered to us, that we cannot make it out. John Dryden, on Dramatick Poesy.
The mixture of those things by speech, which by nature are divided, is the mother of all error: to take away therefore that error, which confusion breedeth, distinction is requisite. Richard Hooker, b. iii. s. 3.
Lawfulness cannot be handled without limitations and distinctions. Francis Bacon, Holy War.
This will puzzle all your logick
And distinctions to answer it. John Denham, Sophy.From this distinction of real and apparent good, some distinguish happiness into two sorts, real and imaginary. John Norris.
ChatGPT
distinction
Distinction refers to the quality of being notably different or unique in comparison to something else. It is often a special honor, achievement, or characteristic that sets someone or something apart from others. It can also refer to a clear difference or contrast between similar things or people.
Webster Dictionary
Distinctionnoun
a marking off by visible signs; separation into parts; division
Distinctionnoun
the act of distinguishing or denoting the differences between objects, or the qualities by which one is known from others; exercise of discernment; discrimination
Distinctionnoun
that which distinguishes one thing from another; distinguishing quality; sharply defined difference; as, the distinction between real and apparent good
Distinctionnoun
estimation of difference; regard to differences or distinguishing circumstance
Distinctionnoun
conspicuous station; eminence; superiority; honorable estimation; as, a man of distinction
Wikidata
Distinction
Distinction is a principle under international humanitarian law governing the legal use of force in an armed conflict, whereby belligerents must distinguish between combatants and civilians. Distinction and proportionality are important factors in assessing military necessity in that the harm caused to civilians or civilian property must be proportional and not excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated by an attack on a military objective.
Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
Distinction
dis-tingk′shun, n. separation or division: that which distinguishes or gives distinction: difference: eminence: characteristic dignity and elegance of style: honourable treatment.
Dictionary of Nautical Terms
distinction
Flags of distinction, badges, honourable note of superiority.
Matched Categories
British National Corpus
Spoken Corpus Frequency
Rank popularity for the word 'Distinction' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #2428
Nouns Frequency
Rank popularity for the word 'Distinction' in Nouns Frequency: #939
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of Distinction in Chaldean Numerology is: 2
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of Distinction in Pythagorean Numerology is: 1
Examples of Distinction in a Sentence
Director Shaub has served presidents of both parties with distinction – sometimes we agreed and sometimes we disagreed, but he always tries to do the right thing – I say to those smearing him, have they no shame?
Today's quakes can be thought of as something like a main-shock and a swarm of aftershocks, the one distinction being that in this case, there's not a lot of magnitude difference among them.
An invincible determination can accomplish almost anything and in this lies the great distinction between great men and little men.
This isn't, of course, to say that I'm the only person that gets to celebrate women in the U.S. or that I have ownership of the title or moniker ‘American Woman’ in any way. However, that the original AMERICAN WOMAN series is very specifically about black women in America — American for multiple generations, first-generation American, or American via naturalization or dual citizenship — is a very important distinction that I intend to protect.
Knowledge is destroyed by associating with the base; with equals equality is gained, and with the distinguished, distinction.
Popularity rank by frequency of use
References
Translations for Distinction
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
- разли́чие, отли́чие, разликаBulgarian
- distincióCatalan, Valencian
- rozdíl, vyznamenáníCzech
- Auszeichnung, UnterschiedGerman
- διάκρισηGreek
- distingoEsperanto
- ero, kunniaFinnish
- différence, distinctionFrench
- 違い, 区別Japanese
- distinctionLatin
- distinksjon, forskjellNorwegian
- odznaczenie, różnica, wyróżnieniePolish
- distinçãoPortuguese
- distingibilitate, distingere, distincție, deosebire, diferențăRomanian
- ра́зница, разли́чие, отли́чие, разграниче́ниеRussian
- distinktion, skillnadSwedish
- 分別Chinese
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"Distinction." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/Distinction>.
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