distinguish
vb mainly tr
1 when intr, foll by: between or among to make, show, or recognize a difference or differences (between or among); differentiate (between)
2 to be a distinctive feature of; characterize
4 to mark for a special honour or title
5 to make (oneself) noteworthy
he distinguished himself by his cowardice
6 to classify; categorize
we distinguished three species
(C16: from Latin distinguere to separate, discriminate)
♦
distinguishable adj
♦
distinguishably adv
♦
distinguisher n
♦
distinguishing adj
♦
distinguishingly adv