distinguish : Dictionary / Wörterbuch (BEOLINGUS, TU Chemnitz)

English Dictionary: distinguish	by the DICT Development Group
3 results for distinguish
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
distinguish v mark as different; "We distinguish several kinds of maple" Synonym(s): distinguish, separate, differentiate, secern, secernate, severalize, severalise, tell, tell apart detect with the senses; "The fleeing convicts were picked out of the darkness by the watchful prison guards"; "I can't make out the faces in this photograph" Synonym(s): spot, recognize, recognise, distinguish, discern, pick out, make out, tell apart be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait; sometimes in a very positive sense; "His modesty distinguishes him from his peers" Synonym(s): distinguish, mark, differentiate make conspicuous or noteworthy Synonym(s): signalize, signalise, distinguish identify as in botany or biology, for example Synonym(s): identify, discover, key, key out, distinguish, describe, name
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Distinguish \Distin"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.[bd]To distinguish themselves by means never tried before.[b8] --Johnson. Syn: To mark; discriminate; differentiate; characterize; discern; perceive; signalize; honor; glorify.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Distinguish \Dis*tin"guish\, v. i. 1. To make distinctions; to perceive the difference; to exercise discrimination; -- with between; as, a judge distinguishes between cases apparently similar, but differing in principle. 2. To become distinguished or distinctive; to make one's self or itself discernible. [R.] The little embryo . . . first distinguishes into a little knot. --Jer. Taylor.