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Distinguish

//dɪˈstɪŋ.ɡwɪʃ// verb

Definitions

Verb
  1. 1
    To recognize someone or something as different from others based on its characteristics.

    "It had begun to take a leading place even in the days of the Ptolemies, and in scientific, as distinguished from purely literary work, it had assumed a position of primary importance early in the Christian era."

  2. 2
    mark as different wordnet
  3. 3
    To see someone or something clearly or distinctly.
  4. 4
    be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait; sometimes in a very positive sense wordnet
  5. 5
    To make noticeably different or better from others through accomplishments. reflexive, transitive

    "The soldier distinguished himself in combat and received a medal."

Show 5 more definitions
  1. 6
    identify as in botany or biology, for example wordnet
  2. 7
    To confer an honor upon.

    "The soldier was distinguished with a medal for his bravery."

  3. 8
    make conspicuous or noteworthy wordnet
  4. 9
    To make to differ. obsolete, transitive

    "For who diſtinguiſheth thee?"

  5. 10
    detect with the senses wordnet

Etymology

From Middle English distingwen, from Old French distinguer, from Latin distinguere (“to separate, divide, distinguish, set off, adorn, literally mark off”), from di-, dis- (“apart”) + stinguere, related to English stink. Compare extinguish.

See also for "distinguish"

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