different between distinguish vs assume

English

Etymology

From Middle English distingwen, from Old French distinguer, from Latin distinguere (“to separate, divide, distinguish, set off, adorn, literally mark off”), from di-, dis- (“apart”) + stinguere. Compare extinguish.

Pronunciation

• enPR: d?s-t?ng?gw?sh, IPA^(key): /d?s?t???w??/
• Rhymes: -???w??
• Hyphenation: dis?tin?guish

Verb

distinguish (third-person singular simple present distinguishes, present participle distinguishing, simple past and past participle distinguished)

1. To recognize someone or something as different from others based on its characteristics.

   Synonyms: differentiate, discriminate; see also Thesaurus:tell apart

   Antonym: confuse
2. To see someone or something clearly or distinctly.
3. To make oneself noticeably different or better from others through accomplishments.
   • 1784: William Jones, The Description and Use of a New Portable Orrery, &c., PREFACE

     THE favourable reception the Orrery has met with from Per?ons of the fir?t di?tinction, and from Gentlemen and Ladies in general, has induced me to add to it ?everal new improvements in order to give it a degree of Perfection; and di?tingui?h it from others; which by Piracy, or Imitation, may be introduced to the Public.

4. (transitive, obsolete) To make to differ.

Usage notes

In sense “see a difference”, more casual than differentiate or the formal discriminate; more casual is “tell the difference”.

Derived terms

• distinguished
• distinguishable
• distinguishing
• distinguishness
• undistinguishing

Related terms

• distinct
• distinction
• extinguish

Translations

Further reading

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

English

Etymology

From Latin ass?m? (“accept, take”), from ad- (“to, towards, at”) + s?m? (“take up, assume”).

Pronunciation

• (UK, North America) IPA^(key): /??sju?m/
• (UK)
• (US)
• (US, Canada) (yod dropping) IPA^(key): /??su?m/
• (yod coalescence) IPA^(key): /???u?m/
• (Nigeria) IPA^(key): /??zu?m/
• Rhymes: -u?m

Verb

assume (third-person singular simple present assumes, present participle assuming, simple past and past participle assumed)

1. To authenticate by means of belief; to surmise; to suppose to be true, especially without proof
   • For more quotations using this term, see Citations:assume.
2. To take on a position, duty or form
   • For more quotations using this term, see Citations:assume.
3. To adopt a feigned quality or manner; to claim without right; to arrogate
   • a. 1809,Beilby Porteus, sermon

     ambition assuming the mask of religion.

   • For more quotations using this term, see Citations:assume.
4. To receive, adopt (a person)
5. To adopt (an idea or cause)

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:suppose

Related terms

Translations

References

• Douglas Harper (2001–2021) , “assume”, in Online Etymology Dictionary

Anagrams

• Seamus, amuses

French

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /a.sym/

Verb

assume

1. first-person singular present indicative of assumer
2. third-person singular present indicative of assumer
3. first-person singular present subjunctive of assumer
4. second-person singular imperative of assumer

Anagrams

• amuses, amusés, massue, muasse, suâmes, usâmes

Italian

Verb

assume

1. third-person singular present indicative of assumere

Latin

Verb

ass?me

1. second-person singular present active imperative of ass?m?

Portuguese

Verb

assume

1. third-person singular (ele and ela, also used with você and others) present indicative of assumir
2. second-person singular (tu, sometimes used with você) affirmative imperative of assumir