n. 1 a the act or an instance of discriminating or distinguishing. b an instance of this. c the difference made by distinguishing. 2 a something that differentiates, e.g. a mark, name, or title. b the fact of being different. 3 special consideration or honour. 4 distinguished character; excellence; eminence (a film of distinction; shows distinction in his bearing). 5 a grade in an examination denoting great excellence (passed with distinction). distinction without a difference a merely nominal or artificial distinction.
[ ME f. OF f. L distinctio -onis (as DISTINGUISH) ]