— distinguishable , adj. — distinguishableness, distinguishability , n. — distinguishably , adv. — distinguisher , n. — distinguishment , n.
/di sting"gwish/ , v.t.
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.
v.i.
8. to indicate or show a difference (usually fol. by between ).
9. to recognize or note differences; discriminate.
[ 1555-65; extension, by -ISH 2 , of ME disting ( u ) en ( distinguer ) distinguere; see DISTINCT ]
Syn. 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.
Ant. 2. confuse.