distinction means that which distinguishes; a single occurrence of a determining factor or feature, the fact of being divided; separation, discrimination. It carries an Arena rating of 1351, earned across 3 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, distinction ranks #2,350 of 14,448 for Most Incisive Words, #3,885 of 14,308 for Most Malleable Words, #7,084 of 14,414 for Most Elegant Words, #7,132 of 14,322 for Scariest Words.
distinction is pronounced /dɪˈstɪŋkʃən/.
Why “distinction” is a great word
A clear separation or contrast drawn between people or things, especially one that denotes superiority. From Middle English distinccioun, from Old French distinction, from Latin distinctiōnem, action noun of distinguō ("separate, distinguish"), attested in English from the late 14th century. Unlike "confusion," which implies a murky indistinctness, or "similarity," which notes a shared quality, distinction is the quiet sharpness of a well-honed blade, the precise hush that falls when a single voice rises above a chorus, or the solitary oak spared while its grove was cleared. It is the fundamental human act of making meaning by telling things apart, the unmistakable signature of standing apart by design.
Etymology
From Middle English distinccioun, from Old French distinction (attested from the 12th century), borrowed from Latin distinctiōnem, action noun of distinguō (“separate, distinguish”). Attested in English from the late 14th century.
noun
- That which distinguishes; a single occurrence of a determining factor or feature, the fact of being divided; separation, discrimination.“The proper course for me, gentlemen of the jury, is to deal first with the earliest charges that have been falsely brought against me, and with my earliest accursers; and then with the later ones. I make this distinction because […]”
- The act of distinguishing, discriminating; discrimination.“There is a distinction to be made between resting and slacking.”
- A feature that causes someone or something to stand out from others of its type.“Gedeon Van Rompay had the dubious distinction of being the only Site employee personally hired by Edwin Falkirk, former All Sections Chief and perennial piece of human trash. Lillian had found it easy not to hold this against the man, but only because there were so many other odious things about him to choose from. He was misogynist, he was chauvinistic, he was boorish, he was violent. Just about ”
- A feature that causes someone or something to stand out from others of its type.; A feature that causes someone or something to stand out as being better; a mark of honour, rank, eminence or excellence; the quality of being distinguished.“She had the distinction of meeting the Queen.”
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