distinguishments - 1 dictionary result
dis⋅tin⋅guish
[di-sting-gwish] 
–verb (used with object)
| 1. | to mark off as different (often fol. by from or by): He was distinguished from the other boys by his height. |
| 2. | to recognize as distinct or different; recognize the salient or individual features or characteristics of: It is hard to distinguish her from her twin sister. |
| 3. | to perceive clearly by sight or other sense; discern; recognize: He could not distinguish many of the words. |
| 4. | to set apart as different; be a distinctive characteristic of; characterize: It is his Italian accent that distinguishes him. |
| 5. | to make prominent, conspicuous, or eminent: to distinguish oneself in battle. |
| 6. | to divide into classes; classify: Let us distinguish the various types of metaphor. |
| 7. | Archaic. to single out for or honor with special attention. |
–verb (used without object)
| 8. | to indicate or show a difference (usually fol. by between). |
| 9. | to recognize or note differences; discriminate. |
Origin:
1555–65; extension, by -ish 2 , of ME disting(u)en (< AF, MF distinguer) < L distinguere; see distinct
1555–65; extension, by -ish 2 , of ME disting(u)en (< AF, MF distinguer) < L distinguere; see distinct
Related forms:
dis⋅tin⋅guish⋅a⋅ble, adjective
dis⋅tin⋅guish⋅a⋅ble⋅ness, dis⋅tin⋅guish⋅a⋅bil⋅i⋅ty, noun
dis⋅tin⋅guish⋅a⋅bly, adverb
dis⋅tin⋅guish⋅er, noun
dis⋅tin⋅guish⋅ment, noun
Synonyms:
2. Distinguish, differentiate, discriminate suggest an attempt to analyze characteristic features or qualities of things. To distinguish is to recognize the characteristic features belonging to a thing: to distinguish a light cruiser from a heavy cruiser. To discriminate is to perceive the particular, nice, or exact differences between things, to determine wherein these differences consist, and to estimate their significance: to discriminate prejudiced from unprejudiced testimony. To differentiate is to point out exactly and in detail the differences between (usually) two things: The symptoms of both diseases are so similar that it is hard to differentiate one from another.
2. Distinguish, differentiate, discriminate suggest an attempt to analyze characteristic features or qualities of things. To distinguish is to recognize the characteristic features belonging to a thing: to distinguish a light cruiser from a heavy cruiser. To discriminate is to perceive the particular, nice, or exact differences between things, to determine wherein these differences consist, and to estimate their significance: to discriminate prejudiced from unprejudiced testimony. To differentiate is to point out exactly and in detail the differences between (usually) two things: The symptoms of both diseases are so similar that it is hard to differentiate one from another.
Antonyms:
2. confuse.
2. confuse.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source
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