distinction

distinction
[[t]dɪstɪ̱ŋkʃ(ə)n[/t]]
distinctions
1) N-COUNT: usu N between pl-n A distinction is a difference between similar things.

There are obvious distinctions between the two wine-making areas...

The distinction between craft and fine art is more controversial.

PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR between pl-n If you draw a distinction or make a distinction, you say that two things are different.

I did not yet make a distinction between the pleasures of reading and of writing fiction...

He draws a distinction between art and culture.

2) N-UNCOUNT Distinction is the quality of being very good or better than other things of the same type. [FORMAL]

Lewis emerges as a composer of distinction and sensitivity.

...pieces of furniture of distinction.

3) N-COUNT A distinction is a special award or honour that is given to someone because of their very high level of achievement.

The order was created in 1902 as a special distinction for eminent men and women...

I did an M.A. at Liverpool University in Latin American Studies and got a distinction.

Syn:
4) N-SING: oft the N of n/-ing If you say that someone or something has the distinction of being something, you are drawing attention to the fact that they have the special quality of being that thing. Distinction is normally used to refer to good qualities, but can sometimes also be used to refer to bad qualities.

He has the distinction of being regarded as the Federal Republic's greatest living writer.


English dictionary. 2008.

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  • distinction — [ distɛ̃ksjɔ̃ ] n. f. • v. 1170; lat. distinctio 1 ♦ Action de distinguer, de reconnaître pour différent. ⇒ démarcation, différenciation, discrimination, séparation. Faire la distinction entre deux choses. ⇒ 2. départ. La distinction du bien et… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • distinction — DISTINCTION. s. f. Division, séparation. Ecrire tout de suite sans distinction de chapitres. Bible imprimée sans distinction de versets. f♛/b] Il signifie aussi, Différence. Faire distinction de l ami et de l ennemi. Offenser tout le monde sans… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie Française 1798

  • Distinction T-V — La distinction T(u) V(ous) ─ ou « distinction entre le tutoiement et le vouvoiement/voussoiement » ─ est un concept grammatical et linguistique familier aux locuteurs de langues indo européennes (sauf dans le cas de l anglais moderne,… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Distinction t-v — La distinction T(u) V(ous) ─ ou « distinction entre le tutoiement et le vouvoiement/voussoiement » ─ est un concept grammatical et linguistique familier aux locuteurs de langues indo européennes (sauf dans le cas de l anglais moderne,… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • distinction — Distinction. s. f. v. Division, separation. Escrire tout de suite sans distinction de chapitre. la distinction des droits de quelqu un d avec ceux d un autre. Il sign aussi, Difference. Sans distinction de l amy ny de l ennemy. offenser tout le… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • Distinction — Dis*tinc tion, n. [L. distinctio: cf. F. distinction.] 1. A marking off by visible signs; separation into parts; division. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] The distinction of tragedy into acts was not known. Dryden. [1913 Webster] 2. The act of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Distinction — may refer to: Distinction (social) is a social force that places different values on different individuals. (social, class, and style) Distinction (law) is a principle under international humanitarian law governing the legal use of force in an… …   Wikipedia

  • distinction — [di stiŋk′shən] n. [ME distinccioun < OFr distinction < L distinctio < pp. of distinguere: see DISTINGUISH] 1. the act of making or keeping distinct; differentiation between or among things 2. the condition of being different; difference …   English World dictionary

  • Distinction — Distinction, Unterschied, Absonderung, Trennung. Man distinguirt im Urtheile z. B., wenn man zwischen der Meinung (Ansicht) des Einen und der des Anderen einen Mittelweg (Unterschied) einschlägt. In der Conversationssprache bedeutet Distinction… …   Damen Conversations Lexikon

  • distinction — c.1200, one of the parts into which something is divided; mid 14c. as action of distinguishing, from O.Fr. distinction and directly from L. distinctionem (nom. distinctio) separation, distinction, discrimination, noun of action from pp. stem of… …   Etymology dictionary

  • distinction — I (difference) noun antithesis, characteristic difference, contrariety, contrast, differentia, differential, differentiation, disaccord, disagreement, discongruity, discrepancy, discrimen, discrimination, disharmony, disparity, dissension,… …   Law dictionary

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