different between distinguished vs matchless

English

Etymology

• From distinguish +? -ed.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /d?s?t???w??t/
• Hyphenation: dis?tin?guished

Adjective

distinguished (comparative more distinguished, superlative most distinguished)

1. celebrated, well-known or eminent because of past achievements; prestigious

   The lecture was attended by many distinguished mathematicians.

2. Having a dignified appearance or demeanor

   Her father was a distinguished gentleman, albeit a poor one.

3. (mathematics) Specified, noted.

   Let X be a topological space with a distinguished point p.

Synonyms

• (celebrated): eminent, exceptional, remarkable; see also Thesaurus:famous or Thesaurus:notable
• (dignified appearance): grand, imposing
• (specified):

Antonyms

• mediocre

Translations

Verb

distinguished

1. simple past tense and past participle of distinguish

English

Etymology 1

From match +? -less, modelled after or partly continuing Middle English makeless (“having no peer or equal, matchless”), equivalent to make +? -less. Compare Swedish makalös (“incomparable, matchless”), Danish mageløs (“matchless”).

Adjective

matchless (comparative more matchless, superlative most matchless)

1. Having no match; without equal.
   • 1819, Sir Walter Scott, Ivanhoe, ch. 8:

     [T]he Prince was to declare the victor in the first day's tourney, who should receive as prize a warhorse of exquisite beauty and matchless strength.

   • 2002, Daniel Okrent, "Books: A Prince of a Pitcher" (Review of: Sandy Koufax: A Lefty's Legacy), Time, 30 Sept.:

     It was not his matchless talent that exalted Koufax beyond his greatest contemporaries so much as it was his knowledge that character was not connected to talent.

2. Having no mate.
   • 2010, Sandra Brennan, "Movies: The Flying Matchmaker (1966)," nytimes.com, 1 June (retrieved 13 Sep 2010):

     In this comedy, a matchmaker has a matchless daughter. Try as he might, he cannot seem to find anyone for her.

Synonyms

• (without equal): incomparable, nonpareil, peerless, unequaled, unmatched, unparalleled, unsurpassed
• (having no mate): single, unattached

Derived terms

• matchlessly
• matchlessness

Translations

Etymology 2

match +? -less

Adjective

matchless (not comparable)

1. Without the use of matches for ignition.

   a matchless stove