distinction

English

Etymology

From Old French (12th century) distinction, from Latin accusative distinctionem, action noun of distinguo (“I distinguish”). Used in English from the late 14th century.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /dɪˈstɪŋkʃən/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

distinction (plural distinctions)

1. That which distinguishes; a single occurrence of a determining factor or feature, the fact of being divided; separation, discrimination.
2. The act of distinguishing, discriminating; discrimination
   • 1921, Bertrand Russell, “Lecture II”, in The Analysis of Mind:

     In spite of these qualifications, the broad distinction between instinct and habit is undeniable. To take extreme cases, every animal at birth can take food by instinct, before it has had opportunity to learn; on the other hand, no one can ride a bicycle by instinct, though, after learning, the necessary movements become just as automatic as if they were instinctive.

   • 1911, “Evidence”, in Encyclopædia Britannica:

     But, for practical purposes, it is possible to draw a distinction between a statement of facts observed and an expression of opinion as to the inference to be drawn from these facts, and the rule telling witnesses to state facts and not express opinions is of great value in keeping their statements out of the region of argument and conjecture.

3. 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.

Derived terms

• contradistinction
• distinction without a difference

Related terms

• distinct
• distinguish
• distinguished
• distinguishable
• distinguishness

Translations

that which distinguishes

Bulgarian: разлика (bg) f., различие (bg) n. Czech: rozdíl (cs) m. Esperanto: distingo (eo) German: Unterschied (de) m.

Greek: διάκριση (el) (diákrisi) f. Norwegian: distinksjon (no) m. Portuguese: distinção (pt) f. Romanian: distincție (ro) f., deosebire (ro) f., diferență (ro) f., distingere (ro) f.

the state of being distinguishable

Norwegian: forskjell (no) m.

Romanian: distingibilitate (ro) f.

a feature that causes someone or something to be better

Bulgarian: отличие (bg) n. Czech: vyznamenání (cs) n. German: Auszeichnung (de) f.

Greek: διάκριση (el) (diákrisi) f. Portuguese: distinção (pt) f.

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French

Etymology

Old French distinction (attested in the 12th century), from the Latin accusative distinctionem, the action noun of distinguere (“distinguish”).

Pronunciation

• IPA: /dis.tɛ̃k.sjɔ̃/ X-SAMPA: /dis.tE~k.sjO~/

• audio

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɔ̃
• Homophone: distinctions

Noun

distinction f. (plural distinctions)

1. distinction (difference, honour)