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distinct - 4 dictionary results

dis⋅tinct

  [di-stingkt]
Use distinct in a Sentence
–adjective
1. distinguished as not being the same; not identical; separate (sometimes fol. by from): His private and public lives are distinct.
2. different in nature or quality; dissimilar (sometimes fol. by from): Gold is distinct from iron.
3. clear to the senses or intellect; plain; unmistakable: The ship appeared as a distinct silhouette.
4. distinguishing or perceiving clearly: distinct vision.
5. unquestionably exceptional or notable: a distinct honor.
6. Archaic. distinctively decorated or adorned.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < L distinctus, ptp. of disting(u)ere to divide off, pick out, distinguish (di- di- 2 + *sting(u)ere presumably, to prick, mark by pricking; cf. instinct 1 , instigate )

Related forms:
dis⋅tinct⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. individual. See various. 3. well-defined, unconfused.

Antonyms:
3, 4. indistinct.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To distinct
dis·tinct   (dĭ-stĭngkt')   
adj.  
  1. Readily distinguishable from all others; discrete: on two distinct occasions.
  2. Easily perceived by the senses or intellect; clear: a distinct flavor.
  3. Clearly defined; unquestionable: at a distinct disadvantage.
  4. Very likely; probable: There is a distinct possibility that she won't come.
  5. Notable: a distinct honor and high privilege.

[Middle English, past participle of distincten, to distinguish, discern, from Old French destincter, from Latin distīnctus, past participle of distinguere, to distinguish; see distinguish.]
dis·tinct'ly adv., dis·tinct'ness n.
Synonyms: These adjectives mean distinguished from others in nature or qualities: 12 distinct colors; a company with six discrete divisions; a problem consisting of two separate issues; performed several steps of the process. See Also Synonyms at apparent.

Usage Note: A thing is distinct if it is sharply distinguished from other things; a property or attribute is distinctive if it enables us to distinguish one thing from another. The warbler is not a distinct species means that the warbler is not a clearly defined type of bird. The pine warbler has a distinctive song means that the pine warbler's song enables us to distinguish it from all other birds, including other warblers.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Distinct

Dis*tinct"\, a. [L. distinctus, p. p. of distinguere: cf. F. distinct. See Distinguish.]

1. Distinguished; having the difference marked; separated by a visible sign; marked out; specified. [Obs.]

Wherever thus created -- for no place Is yet distinct by name. --Milton.

2. Marked; variegated. [Obs.]

The which [place] was dight With divers flowers distinct with rare delight. --Spenser.

3. Separate in place; not conjunct; not united by growth or otherwise; -- with from.

The intention was that the two armies which marched out together should afterward be distinct. --Clarendon.

4. Not identical; different; individual.

To offend, and judge, are distinct offices. --Shak.

5. So separated as not to be confounded with any other thing; not liable to be misunderstood; not confused; well-defined; clear; as, we have a distinct or indistinct view of a prospect.

Relation more particular and distinct. --Milton.

Syn: Separate; unconnected; disjoined; different; clear; plain; conspicuous; obvious.

Distinct

Dis*tinct"\, v. t. To distinguish. [Obs.] --Rom. of R.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : distinct
Spanish: claro, marcado, inconfundible,
German: deutlich,
Japanese: はっきりした
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