different between distinction vs distinct

English

Etymology

From Middle English distinccioun, from Old French distinction (attested 12th century), from the Latin accusative distinctionem, action noun of distinguo (“I distinguish”). Used in English from the late 14th century.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /d??st??k??n/

Noun

distinction (countable and uncountable, plural distinctions)

1. That which distinguishes; a single occurrence of a determining factor or feature, the fact of being divided; separation, discrimination.
2. The act of distinguishing, discriminating; discrimination.
3. Specifically, a feature that causes someone or something to stand out as being better; a mark of honour, rank, eminence or excellence; being distinguished.
   • 2013, Daniel Taylor, Steven Gerrard goal against Poland ensures England will go to World Cup (in The Guardian, 15 October 2013)[2]

     Leighton Baines, playing with distinction again, sent over a left-wing cross with pace and accuracy. Welbeck, prominently involved all night, could not reach it but Rooney was directly behind him, flashing his header past Szczesny.

Antonyms

• (that which distinguishes): confusion

Derived terms

• contradistinction
• distinction without a difference

Related terms

• distinct
• distinguish
• distinguished
• distinguishable
• distinguishness

Translations

French

Etymology

From Old French distinction (attested in the 12th century), from borrowed from the Latin accusative distinctionem, the action noun of distinguere (“distinguish”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /dis.t??k.sj??/
• Rhymes: -??
• Homophone: distinctions

Noun

distinction f (plural distinctions)

1. distinction (difference, honour)

Related terms

• distinct
• distinguer

Further reading

• “distinction” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

English

Etymology

From Middle English distincte, from Old French, from Latin distinctus, past participle of distinguere (“to distinguish”); see distinguish.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /d?s?t??kt/
• Rhymes: -??kt

Adjective

distinct (comparative more distinct, superlative most distinct)

1. Capable of being perceived very clearly.

2. Different from one another (with the preferable adposition being "from").

3. Noticeably different from others; distinctive.

4. Separate in place; not conjunct or united; with from.
5. (obsolete) Distinguished; having the difference marked; separated by a visible sign; marked out; specified.
6. (obsolete) Marked; variegated.

Synonyms

• (capable of being perceived very clearly): clear, vivid; see also Thesaurus:distinct
• (different from one another): different, separate, several (obsolete)
• (noticeably different): characteristic, distinctive, prominent
• (separate in place): discrete, individual, noncontinuous, separate
• (distinguished): specified
• (marked): patterned; see also Thesaurus:marked

Antonyms

• (capable of being perceived very clearly): confusing, indistinct; see also Thesaurus:indistinct
• (different from one another): same, indistinguishable

Derived terms

• distinctly
• distinctness

Related terms

• distinction
• distinctive
• distinguish
• distinguished
• distinguishable
• distinguishness
• extinct

Translations

Further reading

• distinct in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• distinct in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

French

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin distinctus.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /dis.t??/, /dis.t??kt/
• Homophone: distincts

Adjective

distinct (feminine singular distincte, masculine plural distincts, feminine plural distinctes)

1. distinct
2. discrete

Related terms

• distinguer

Further reading

• “distinct” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

Romanian

Etymology

Borrowed from French distinct, Latin distinctus.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /dis?tinkt/

Adjective

distinct m or n (feminine singular distinct?, masculine plural distinc?i, feminine and neuter plural distincte)

1. distinct

Declension

Related terms

• distinctive
• distinc?ie
• distinge

Further reading

• distinct in DEX online - Dic?ionare ale limbii române (Dictionaries of the Romanian language)