də̇ˈstiŋ(k)shən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English distinccioun, from Old French distinction, from Latin distinction-, distinctio, from distinctus (past participle of distinguere to distinguish) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at distinguish
1.
a. archaic : a part of a divided whole : category , section
b. obsolete : the act of separating into parts : partition , division
c. : class , grade , rank
Mr. Hemingway's … prose is of the first distinction — Edmund Wilson
2.
a. : the act of distinguishing a difference : discrimination , differentiation
not interested in distinctions between philosophic entities
without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion — Vera M. Dean
b. : the object or result of distinguishing or discriminating
the distinctions of degree had lost much of their rigidity — Douglas Bush
the line of distinction between the citizen and the subject — R.B.Taney
crooked crooks and honest crooks, a distinction which does represent a difference — Gerald Carson
: contrast
he was pretty reasonable in distinction to the other men
the classical economists in distinction to the modern price theorists — Paul Mattick
also : special favor
full commissions are payable to the galleries to the same extent as if sold to other bidders, without distinction or preference shown to such consignors or agents — Parke-Bernet Galleries Catalog
c. archaic : the faculty of distinguishing : discernment
3. : something that distinguishes one thing from another : a distinguishing quality or mark : differentia
the distinction between good and evil
a distinction between the two men was their manner of treating inferiors
4. : the quality or state of being distinguishable or distinct: as
a. : difference , disparity
the distinction between the twins was great enough to eliminate the usual identification trouble
b. obsolete : clearness , distinctness
5.
a. : the quality or state of being distinguished or of having distinguished oneself
the man's distinction was in his entire bearing
b. : eminence , significance
a politician of some distinction in the town
looking for actions that would reveal his guilt, but found none of distinction
: special honor or regard
graduated from college with distinction
grant him the distinction he deserves
c. : the mark or indication of special honor or regard
has the distinction of being both rich and handsome
d. : worthiness or fitness for special or professional honor or recognition
accomplished the difficult task with rare distinction
6. : the act of giving special recognition (as by honoring)
Urban received him with great distinction — Encyc. Americana
Synonyms: see dissimilarity