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more about distinguishing
distinguishing |
3 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Distinguish \Dis*tin"guish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Distinguished}; p. pr & vb n. {Distinguishing}.] [F. distinguer L. distinguere distinctum di- = dis- + stinguere to quench, extinguish; prob. orig., to prick, and so akin to G. stechen, E. stick, and perh. sting. Cf {Extinguish}.] 1. Not set apart from others by visible marks; to make distinctive or discernible by exhibiting differences; to mark off by some characteristic. Not more distinguished by her purple vest, Than by the charming features of her face. --Dryden. Milton has distinguished the sweetbrier and the eglantine. --Nares. 2. To separate by definition of terms or logical division of a subject with regard to difference; as to distinguish sounds into high and low Moses distinguished the causes of the flood into those that belong to the heavens, and those that belong to the earth. --T. Burnet. 3. To recognize or discern by marks, signs, or characteristic quality or qualities; to know and discriminate anything from other things with which it might be confounded; as to distinguish the sound of a drum. We are enabled to distinguish good from evil, as well as truth from falsehood. --Watts. Nor more can you distinguish of a man, Than of his outward show --Shak. 4. To constitute a difference; to make to differ. Who distinguisheth thee? --1 Cor. iv 7. (Douay version). 5. To separate from others by a mark of honor; to make eminent or known to confer distinction upon -- with by or for.``To distinguish themselves by means never tried before.'' --Johnson. Syn: To mark; discriminate; differentiate; characterize; discern; perceive; signalize; honor; glorify. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Distinguishing \Dis*tin"guish*ing\, a. Constituting difference, or distinction from everything else; distinctive; peculiar; characteristic. The distinguishing doctrines of our holy religion. --Locke. {Distinguishing pennant} (Naut.), a special pennant by which any particular vessel in a fleet is recognized and signaled. --Simmonds. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: distinguishing adj : serving to distinguish or identify a species or group "the distinguishing mark of the species is its plumage"; "distinctive tribal tattoos"; "we were asked to describe any identifying marks or distinguishing features" [syn: {distinctive}, {identifying(a)}]
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