Dis-tĭn'guish1, v. t.
(-tĭng'gwish), v. t. [imp. & p. p. DISTINGUISHED; p. pr. & vb. n. DISTINGUISHING.] [Lat. distinguere, distinctum, from prefix di, for dis, and stinguere, to quench, extinguish; It. distinguere, Pr., Sp., & Pg. distinguir, Fr. distinguer.]
Sense 1. To separate or recognize by visible marks; as, the manufacturer distinguishes pieces of cloth by some mark or impression.
Sense 2. To separate by definition of terms or logical division of a subject; as, to distinguish sounds into high and low.
Moses distinguished the causes of the flood into those that belong to the heavens and those that belong to the earth. Burnet.
Sense 3. To recognize or discern by characteristic quality or qualities; as, to distinguish the sound of a drum.
We are enabled to distinguish good from evil, as well as truth from falsehood. Watts.
No more can you distinguish of a man, Than of his outward show. Shak.
Sense 4. To constitute a difference in; to make to differ.
“Who distinguisheth thee?” 1 Cor. iv. 7, Rhemish Trans.
Sense 5. To separate by a mark of honor; to make eminent or known.
To distinguish themselves by means never tried before. Johnson.
Synonyms—To mark; discriminate; discern; perceive; signalize; honor.