Copyright © Philip M. Parker, INSEAD. Terms of Use.
Definition: Distinction |
DistinctionNoun1. A discrimination between things as different and distinct; "it is necessary to make a distinction between love and infatuation". 2. High status importance owing to marked superiority; "a scholar of great eminence". 3. A distinguishing quality; "it has the distinction of being the cheapest restaurant in town". 4. A distinguishing difference: "he learned the distinction between gold and lead". Source: WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved. |
Date "distinction" was first used in popular English literature: sometime before 1258. (references) |
Etymology: Distinction \Dis*tinc"tion\, noun. [Latin expression distinctio: compare to the French expression distinction.]. (Websters 1913) |
Synonyms: DistinctionSynonyms: differentiation (n), eminence (n), note (n), preeminence (n). (additional references) |
| Context | Synonyms within Context (source: adapted from Roget's Thesaurus). |
Difference | Nice distinction, fine distinction, delicate distinction, subtle distinction; shade of difference, nuance; discrimination; differentia. |
Noun: difference; variance, variation, variety; diversity, dissimilarity; disagreement; disparity; (inequality); distinction, contradistinction; alteration. modification, permutation, moods and tenses. | |
Discrimination | Phrase: il y a fagots et fagots; rem acu tetigisti; la critique est aisee et l'art est difficile; miles apart; a distinction without a difference. |
Noun: discrimination, distinction, differentiation, diagnosis, diorism; nice perception; perception of difference, appreciation of difference; estimation; nicety, refinement; taste; critique, judgment; tact; discernment; (intelligence); acuteness, penetration; nuances. | |
Equality | Equivalence; equipollence, equipoise, equilibrium, equiponderance; par, quits, a wash; not a pin to choose; distinction without a difference, six of one and half a dozen of the other; tweedle dee and tweedle dum; identity; similarity. |
Nobility | Personage of distinction, man of distinction, personage of rank, man of rank, personage of mark, man of mark; notables, notabilities; celebrity, bigwig, magnate, great man, star, superstar; big bug; big gun, great gun; gilded rooster; magni nominis umbra; " every inch a king ". |
Noun: nobility, rank, condition, distinction, optimacy, blood, pur sang, birth, high descent, order; quality, gentility; blue blood of Castile; ancien regime. | |
Repute | Noun: distinction, mark, name, figure; repute, reputation; good repute, high repute; note, notability, notoriety, eclat, " the bubble reputation ", vogue, celebrity; fame, famousness; renown; popularity, aura popularis; approbation; credit, succes d'estime, prestige, talk of the town; name to conjure with. |
Right | Without distinction of persons, without regard to persons, without respect to persons; upon even terms. |
Stealing | Disregard the distinction between meum and tuum. |
| Source: adapted from Roget's Thesaurus. | |
| Domain | Usage | |
Screenplays | Not really seeing the distinction. (Buffy the Vampire Slayer; writing credit: Doreen Spicer) We tend to lose the fine distinction when it comes to such things. (The Grotesque; writing credit: Patrick McGrath) That's an interesting distinction. (Love and Death; writing credit: Woody Allen) | |
Clever | The cross of the Legion of Honor has been conferred on me. However, few escape that distinction. (references; author: Mark Twain) | |
Movie/TV Titles | A Woman of Distinction (1950) | |
Song Titles | Grazing in the Grass (performing artist: The Friends of Distinction) | |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | ||
| Domain | Title | ||
References | |||
Books | |||
Periodicals |
| ||
Theater & Movies | |||
Music |
| ||
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |||
| Thumbnail | Description & Credit | Thumbnail | Description & Credit |
 | Ralph W. Woodworth Chief of East Coast currents party at time of photo Had distinction of being among first 100 Eagle Scouts in the United States Awarded Legion of Merit for reconnaissance for aeronautical charts during WWII. Credit: Coast & Geodetic Survey Historical Image Collection. |  | South facade from southwest. Photograph by Cervin Robinson, August 18, 1963. (Reproduction Number: HABS, ILL,16-CHIG,33-2) The Robie House has the distinction of being the most frequently requested structure in the HABS and HAER collections. When Frederick C. Robie, a 33-year old engineer and bicycle manufacturing company president, wanted to build a new house, he sought out Frank Lloyd Wright. One of the best known of Wright's early Prairie houses, it was completed in 1909 and remains an icon of the modern movement in architecture. Credit: Library of Congress. |
 | She had a distinction, in spite of her obvious weariness, that puzzled and charmed Peter. Credit: Library of Congress. |  | But, my dear sir, do you realize the historical distinction of this matchless ... Credit: Library of Congress. |
 | Main street of Twin Falls, Idaho. According to Idaho State Guide (Federal Writers Project), this town had the distinction, unusual in towns in the section, of being planned. Credit: Library of Congress. |  | Miss Elsie Tydings who had the distinction of purchasing the first ticket sold for a World Series in the National Capital. She was no. 1 in the 1st line this morning. Credit: Library of Congress. |
Source: pictures compiled by the editor from various references; see picture credits. | |||
| Author | Quotation |
Charles E. Norton | It is perhaps the highest distinction of the Greeks that they recognized the indissoluble connection of beauty and goodness. |
Hitopadesa | When the leader passes over all alike, not making a distinction, then the endeavors of those who are capable of exertion are entirely lost. |
Ralph Waldo Emerson | Envy is the tax which all distinction must pay. |
Samuel Johnson | If he really thinks there is no distinction between vice and virtue, when he leaves our houses let us count our spoons. |
Sir Thomas Browne | But the iniquity of oblivion blindly scattereth her poppy, and deals with the memory of men without distinction to merit of perpetuity. |
Theodore Roosevelt | No people is wholly civilized where a distinction is drawn between stealing an office and stealing a purse. |
Thomas Fuller | An invincible determination can accomplish almost anything and in this lies the great distinction between great men and little men. |
Virgil | I make no distinction between Trojan and Tyrian. |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references. | |
| Author | Date | Quotation |
John Locke | 1690 | There is a common distinction of an express and a tacit consent, which will concern our present case. (Second Treatise of Government) |
Marbury v. Madison | 1803 | The distinction between a government with limited and unlimited powers is abolished, if those limits do not confine the persons on whom they are imposed, and if acts prohibited and acts allowed, are of equal obligation. (reference) |
Communist Manifesto | 1848 | Hence, they habitually appeal to society at large, without distinction of class; nay, by preference, to the ruling class. (reference) |
Treaty of Versailles | 1919 | The German Government undertakes to admit to its territory without distinction all persons liable to repatriation. (reference) |
United Nations | 1948 | Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. (reference) |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references. | ||
| Title | Author | Quote |
Emma | Austen, Jane | |
Last Chance To See | Douglas Adams | The great thing about being the only species that makes a distinction between right and wrong is that we can make up the rules for ourselves as we go along. |
Les Miserables | Hugo, Victor | Between a popular movement and a popular movement, we make a distinction. |
Gulliver's Travels | Swift, Jonathan | Those who stood nearest over against me seemed to be persons of distinction, as I supposed by their habit. |
Walden | Thoreau, Henry David | We are wont to forget that the sun looks on our cultivated fields and on the prairies and forests without distinction. |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references. | ||
| Subject | Topic | Quote |
Health | Lack of coryza aids the clinical distinction between HPS and Influenza A infection. (references) | |
Improved techniques for measuring ACTH permit distinction of ACTH-dependent forms of Cushing's syndrome from adrenal tumors. (references) | ||
Moreover, the distinction between assisted living facilities and other types of residential care facilities often is unclear. (references) | ||
Business | The act makes no distinction between locally-owned or foreign-owned companies. (references) | |
Italy has the distinction of being one of the few countries in Europe with a stable market for remanufactured/rebuilt motor vehicle parts. (references) | ||
The difficulty in defining the distinction between products designed for the DIY or enthusiast market, and products for professional or trade use gives rise to conflicting estimates about the exact size of the total market. (references) | ||
Civil Liberties | Spain | There is no distinction between asylum status and refugee status. (references) |
Costa Rica | The Government makes a distinction between political asylum and refugee status. (references) | |
Belarus | The defamation law makes no distinction between private and public persons in lawsuits for defamation of character. (references) | |
Discrimination | Burundi | The Transitional Constitutional Act provides equal status and protection for all citizens, without distinction based on sex, origin, ethnicity, religion, or opinion; however, the Government failed to implement effectively the act's provisions, and discrimination persists. (references) |
Hong Kong | The Bill of Rights Ordinance, which provides for the incorporation into law of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as applied to Hong Kong, entitles residents to the civil and political rights recognized therein "without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status." However, the ordinance binds only the Government, public authorities and persons acting on their behalf; that is, not private persons or entities. (references) | |
Economic History | Barbados | No distinction is made between locally- and foreign-owned companies. (references) |
Human Rights | Pakistan | For Tazir punishments, there is no distinction between Muslim and non-Muslim offenders. (references) |
Russia | As a result, it often was difficult, if not impossible, to make a distinction between rebel units and criminal gangs. (references) | |
Korea | Some reports note a distinction between those accused of political crimes and common criminals and state that the Government affords trials or lawyers only to the latter. (references) | |
Minorities | Haiti | The law makes no distinction based on race. (references) |
Liberia | Many persons of Lebanese and Asian descent who were born or have lived most of their lives in the country are denied full rights as a result of this racial distinction. (references) | |
Political Economy | ARGENTINA | Services Barriers: In 1994, the authorities abolished the distinction between foreign and domestic banks. (references) |
Trade | Australia | In Australia, the distinction between retail banks and investment banks is increasingly blurred. (references) |
Women | Algeria | According to Shari'a, such a distinction is justified because other provisions require that the husband's income and assets are to be used to support the family, while the wife's remain, in principle, her own. (references) |
Worker Rights | Spain | In December 2000, the Government amended the immigration law to increase sanctions on employers who hire illegal aliens and to draw a sharper distinction between the rights afforded to legal versus illegal immigrants. (references) |
Lexicography | Devil's Dictionary | EPIGRAM, n. A short, sharp saying in prose or verse, frequently characterize by acidity or acerbity and sometimes by wisdom. Following are some of the more notable epigrams of the learned and ingenious Dr. Jamrach Holobom: We know better the needs of ourselves than of others. To serve oneself is economy of administration. In each human heart are a tiger, a pig, an ass and a nightingale. Diversity of character is due to their unequal activity. There are three sexes; males, females and girls. Beauty in women and distinction in men are alike in this: they seem to be the unthinking a kind of credibility. Women in love are less ashamed than men. They have less to be ashamed of. While your friend holds you affectionately by both your hands you are safe, for you can watch both his. |
Source: compiled by the editor from ICON Group International, Inc.; see credits. | ||
| Speaker | Phrase(s) |
Porter Goss | Oh, absolutely. And there's a difference, of course, a distinction between the nuclear capability and the other aspects of threat posed by Saddam Hussein, not necessarily the Iraqi people. I think those are important distinctions. |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |
| Speaker | Term | Phrase(s) |
James Monroe | 1817-1825 | The distinction has flattered their pride, retarded their improvement, and in many instances paved the way to their destruction. |
Herbert C. Hoover | 1929-1933 | We aspire to distinction in the world, but to a distinction based upon confidence in our sense of justice as well as our accomplishments within our own borders and in our own lives. |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references. | ||
| "Distinction" is generally used as a noun (singular) -- approximately 99.98% of the time. "Distinction" is used about 4,083 times out of a sample of 100 million words spoken or written in English. Its rank is based on over 700,000 words used in the English language. Some parts-of-speech are not covered due to the samples used by the British National Corpus. (note: percents less than one-hundredth of one percent have been omitted) |
| Parts of Speech | Percent | Usage per 100 Million Words | Rank in English |
| Noun (singular) | 99.98% | 4,082 | 2,410 |
| Noun (proper) | 0.02% | 1 | 339,140 |
| Total | 100.00% | 4,083 | N/A |
Source: compiled by the editor from several corpora; see credits.
Expressions using "distinction": a distinction without a difference ♦ a man of distinction ♦ class distinction ♦ confer distinction upon ♦ Counter distinction ♦ disregard the distinction between meum and tuum ♦ draw a distinction ♦ fine distinction ♦ gain distinction ♦ make a distinction ♦ mark of distinction ♦ nice distinction ♦ sign of distinction ♦ with distinction ♦ without distinction of person. Additional references. | |
| Hypenated Usage | |
Ending with "distinction": class-distinction, contra-distinction. | |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |
| The following statistics estimate the number of searches per day across the major English-language search engines as identified by various trade publications. Hyperlinks lead to commercial use of the expression at Amazon.com. |
| Language | Translations for "distinction"; alternative meanings/domain in parentheses. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Albanian | dallim (contradistinction, difference, differentiation, discernment, discrimination, identification, relief), veçori (characteristic, exclusiveness, feature, flair, peculiar feature, peculiarity, retreat, singularity, speciality, trait), veçanti (idiosyncrasy, particularity, peculiarity, singularity, speciality), shkëlqim (aureola, aureole, blaze, brightness, brilliance, brilliancy, eclat, effulgence, flamboyance, flamboyancy, flame, glint, glitter, glory, gloss, glow, halo, irradiation, lambency, luster, lustre, nimbus, pageantry, polish, pomp, radiance, radiancy, refulgence, resplendence, scintillation, sheen, shine, sparkle, splendor, splendour), ndryshim (alteration, amendment, change, difference, disparity, dissimilarity, dissimilation, dissimilitude, inflection, inflexion, innovation, manipulation, metamorphosis, modification, mutation, permutation, recast, reversal, reverse, shift, shifting, switch, transit, transition, turn, variation), nderim (compliments, consideration, credit, curtsey, curtsy, deference, devoirs, esteem, estimation, homage, honor, honour, obeisance, respect, respectability, respectfulness, reverence, salute, veneration), nder (benignity, boon, complaisance, credit, fair dealing, Favor, favour, honor, honour, kindness, service), epërsi (advantage, ascendancy, ascendency, edge, excellence, excellency, pre eminence, predominance, preponderance, superiority, supremacy, transcendence, vantage, weight). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Arabic | فارق (difference, discriminating, disparity), فرق (allot, apportion, be afraid, be scared, become afraid, deal out, difference, differentiate, diffuse, discrepancy, disperse, distribute, disunite, divide, give out, parcel out, part, scatter, section, separate, strew about, variance), لفب مشرف, وسام (decoration, garter, insignia), وجاهة (notability), تفوق (beat, beat all, break, class, eclipse, exceed, excel, excellence, get the better of, go one better, lick, mastery, outclass, outguess, overpass, overrule, pre eminence, precede, predomination, preponderance, preponderate, prevalence, seniority, superiority, supremacy, surpass, top, tower, transcend, transcendence), تميز (differentiate, distinguish oneself, singularity, uniqueness), سمو (elevation, grace, sublimity, superiority), علامة فارقة, إمتياز (charter, concession, excellence, franchise, lien, note, patent, prerogative, privilege, splendor, splendour), إختلاف (difference, dissimilarity, divergence, diversity, otherness, schism, variance, variation). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bulgarian | различие (conflict, difference, dissidence, dissonance, division, imparity, otherness, variation), разлика (contradistinction, contrast, difference, distance, excess, inconformity, margin, odds, variance, variation), особеност (feature, lineament, particularity, pattern, peculiarity, point, speciality, trick), отличаване, отличие (honors, honours, medal, order), елегантност (cachet, dash, elegance, elegancy, fineness, grace, gracefulness, graces, neatness, polish, style, stylishness), издигнатост. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chinese | "越 (excellence, splendid), 分別 (apart, difference, respectively, separate, separately), 分别. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Czech | vyznamenání (commendation, decoration, honor, honour), sláva (eclat, fame, gl, gloriole, glory, kudos, luster, lustre, renown, show, stardom), rozlišení, rozdíl (deficiency, difference, differential, disparity, divide, excess, gulf, odds, variance, variety), proslulost (celebrity, eminence, prestige, renown), odlišnost. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Danish | uanset disses nationalitet eller opholdssted (without distinction on grounds of nationality or residence), uanset disses nationalitet (without distinction on grounds of nationality), erhvervskendetegn (professional badge, professional distinction, professional distinguishing mark), erhvervsemblem (professional badge, professional distinction, professional distinguishing mark), at bidrage til den menneskelige personligheds aandelige berigelse uden hensyn til race,koen,sprog eller religion (language or religion, to contribute to the spiritual enrichment of the human personality without distinction as to race), ansoegninger vil blive behandlet uden hensyn til indrejse-eller udrejseland (applications will be dealt with without distinction as to the country of origin or destination), afbøjning af retspraksis (distinction from earlier case law). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dutch | onderscheiding (decor, decoration, renown). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Esperanto | distingo (renown). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Finnish | erotus (difference, disparity, inequality), ero (difference, discharge, disparity, divorce, parting, resignation, retirement, separation). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
French | distinction (discrimination, distinctness). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
German | auszeichnung (accolade, award, awarding, décor, decoration, honor, honoring, honour, honouring, labeling, mark up, marking, pricing, prize, renown, ticket), unterscheidung (difference, differentiation, discrimination). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Greek | αριστείο (first prize, medal of merit), διάκριση (differentiation, discretion, discrimination, note). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hebrew | מב"ל (difference), יחו" (privacy, setting aside, singularity, speciality, unification, union, uniqueness), "בח " (differentiation, discernment, discrimination), "ב"ל" (differentiation, segregation), "ב"ל (difference, remainder), "צטי ות (excellence), ב"ול (differentiation, isolated). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hungarian | megkülönböztetés (differentiation, discernment, discrimination, sexism), kitüntetés (award, certificate of merit, decoration, diploma of merit, honor, honour, honours, insignia, medal), különbség (difference, disparity, odds), hír (buzz, fame, news, novelty, oil, piece of news, reputation, rumor, rumour, something new, tidings, word). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Indonesian | perbedaan (chasm, contradiction, contrariety, contrast, difference, differentiation, discrimination, disparity, dissent, dissidence, divergence, diverification, variation). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Italian | distinzione (accolade, labelling). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Japanese Kanji | 差別 (differentiation, discrimination), 別 (another, difference, different, exception, extra, particular, separate), 別ち (differentiation, discrimination), 別け"て (favoritism), 分別 (classification, discernment, discretion, discrimination, division, judgement, separation), 分別心 (discrimination, prudence), 判別 (discrimination), けい秀"家 (clamorous, loud, noisy, piercing, shrill, wild, woman painter), "て (partition), " (advancement, fame, rise), 文目 (design, pattern), 区別 (classification, differentiation), "乙 (A and B, discernment, discrimination, excellent and good, similarity), 見分け , 見境 (discrimination), 分かち (differentiation, discrimination). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Japanese Katakana | くべつ (classification, differentiation), べつ (another, difference, different, exception, extra, particular, separate), さべつ (differentiation, discrimination), ぶ"べつ (classification, discrimination, division, separation), ふ"べつし" (discrimination, prudence), "うおつ (A and B, discernment, discrimination, excellent and good, similarity), わかち (differentiation, discrimination), あやめ (design, iris, pattern), わけへ て (discrimination, favoritism), けじめ , みさかい (discrimination), みわけ, へ て (partition), は"べつ (discrimination), えいたつ (advancement, fame, rise). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Korean | 구별 (Distinguishing). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Manx | ooashley (adoration, devotion, excellence, high-born, magnificent, prestige, rank, worship), anchaslys (difference, discrepancy, gap). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Norwegian | utmerkelse, forskjell (difference, disparity). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Papiamen | distinshon (renown). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pig Latin | istinctionday diferença (change-over, chasm, contrast, deviation, discrimination, dissemblance, earmark, variation), superioridade (advantage, archness, better, boot, chic, eminence, mastery, precedence, precedency, pre-eminence, prepotency, superiority), excelência (excellence, excellency, fineness, majesty, perfection, rarefaction, rareness, rarity, worth), condecoração (decoration, order, plaque). (various references) distincţie (class, difference, elegance, eminence, honor, honour), diferenţã (difference, disagreement, disparity, dissimilarity, observance, odds, otherness), deosebire (chasm, contradistinction, difference, differentiation, discrimination, disparity, dissimilarity, otherness, separation), titlu (caption, deed, degree, dignity, head, head line, name, prefix, purity, share, style, title, titre), onoare (credit, dignity, esteem, Favor, favour, glory, honor, honour, reputation, repute, reverence), eleganţã (daintiness, elegance, fashionableness, fineness, grace, handsomeness, jauntiness, polish, smartness, swellishness), calitãţi alese. (various references) различие (difference, discrepancy, dissemblance, dissimilarity, diversity, inequality, otherness). (various references) razlika (difference, divergence, divergency, remainder), odlika (characteristic, excellence, feature). (various references) distinción (discrimination). (various references) utmärkelse, åtskillnad. (various references) yükselme (advance, advancement, ascension, ascent, climb, escalation, flux, gain, hike, increase, pickup, preferment, progress, promotion, promotional, raise, rise, rising, scaling, step up, swell, swelling, upheaval, uprising, upsurge, upthrust), rütbe (degree, grade, order, promotion, rank, station, stripe, tier), fark gözetme (discrimination), fark (cachet, contradistinction, difference, differentiation, disparity, distinctness, gap, odds, variation), ayrım (apartheid, color bar, difference, margin, part, segregation), şöhret (bays, celebrity, fame, kudos, laurels, notability, notable, odor, odour, prominence, publicity, record, renown, rep, report, reputation, repute), ayırt etme (differentiation, discrimination), ayırma (abstraction, appropriation, assortment, combout, cull, detachment, dissociation, division, estrangement, fractionation, insularity, isolation, partition, reduction, resolution, screening, segregation, segregative, seperation, sequestration, severance, sunder, sunderance, throw out, turn off), açıklık (aperture, baldness, berth, clarity, clearance, clearness, definiteness, demonstrativeness, directness, distance, distinctiveness, distinctness, erectness, evidence, fairness, gap, interstice, lightness, lucidity, lucidness, manifestness, obviousness, openness, palpability, patency, perspicuity, plainness, preciseness, publicity, rift, roundness, space, spread, straightforwardness, the open, vacancy, yard), üstünlük (advantage, altitude, ascendancy, ascendency, beat, championship, class, dominance, edge, eligibility, excellence, head start, hegemony, lordship, mastery, odds, overweight, pre eminence, precedence, predominance, preponderance, primacy, spirit, supereminence, superiority, supremacy, transcendence, virtue, whip hand), ün (bays, celebrity, fame, glory, kudos, laurels, name, prestige, prominence, renown, rep, report, reputation, repute). (various references) розрізнення (appreciation, discrimination), категорія (brood, category, class, notion, predicament, rank), винятковість (exclusiveness, oneness, onliness), особливість (aroma, characteristic, feature, flavour, individuality, particularity, peculiarity, speciality, specialty, tincture, trait), нагорода (award, bacon, guerdon, meed, pay off, payoff, premium, price, prize, reward, testimonial, tribute), знатність (gentlehood, quality), почесть (honor, honour). (various references) danh hiệu sự biệt đãi, tước hiệu, sự xuất chúng (superexcellence), sự trọng vọng sự ưu tú, sự phân biệt (discrimination), sự lỗi lạc (brillance, brilliancy, prominence, prominency), sự ưu đãi, m u sắc riêng, biểu hiện danh dự, điều phân biệt, điều khác nhau nét đặc biệt. (various references) neilltuolrwydd (peculiarity), gwahaniaeth (difference), bri (renoun), arbenigrwydd (prominence, speciality). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Language | Period | Translations |
| Latin | 500 BCE-Modern | differenti, dilectum, dilectus, discretio, discretionem, discrimini, distinctio, distinctionem, distinctus, ornamentum. (various references) |
| Medieval Latin | 700-1500 | preeminentia. (various references) |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references. | ||
| Language | Date | Source | 1 Corinthians Chapter 14, Verse 7 |
| Greek (transliterated) | 250 BC | Septuagint | OmwV ta ayuca fwnhn didonta eite auloV eite kiqara ean diastolhn toiV fqoggoiV mh dw pwV gnwsqhsetai to auloumenon h to kiqarizomenon |
| Latin | 405 | Vulgate | Tamen quae sine anima sunt vocem dantia sive tibia sive cithara nisi distinctionem sonituum dederint quomodo scietur quod canitur aut quod citharizatur |
| Middle English | 1395 | Wyclif | For tho thingis that ben withouten soule, and yyueth voices, ethir pipe, ether harpe, but tho yyuen distinccioun of sownyngis, hou schal it be knowun that is sungun, ether that that is trumpid? |
| Renaissance English | 1526 | Tyndale | Moreover whe thinges with out lyfe geve sounde: whether it be a pype or an harpe: except they make a distinccion in the soundes: how shall it be knowen what is pyped or harped? |
| Jacobean English | 1611 | King James | And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? |
| Victorian English | 1833 | Webster | And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? |
| Basic English | 1964 | Ogden | Even things without life, having a voice, such as a music-pipe or other instrument, if they do not give out different sounds, who may be certain what is being played? |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |||
| Language | 1 Corinthians Chapter 14, Verse 7 |
| Cebuano | Bisan pa gani ang mga tulonggon nga walay kinabuhi, ingon sa plawta o alpa-- kon kini dili mohatag sa tin-aw nga paningog, unsaon man pag-ila sa sonata nga ilang ginatokar? |
| Croatian | Ako neživa glazbala, svirala ili citra, ne daju razgovijetna glasa, kako æe se razabrati što se to izvodi na svirali ili citri? |
| Danish | Selv de livløse Ting, som give Lyd, være sig en Fløjte eller en Harpe, når de ikke gøre Skel imellem Tonerne, hvorledes skal man så kunne forstå, hvad der spilles på Fløjten eller Harpen? |
| Dutch | Zelfs ook de levenloze dingen, die geluid geven, hetzij fluit, hetzij citer, zo zij geen onderscheid met hun klank geven, hoe zal bekend worden, hetgeen op de fluit of op de citer gespeeld wordt? |
| Finnish | Niinhän on elottomain soittimienkin laita, huilujen tai kitarain: kuinka tiedetään, mitä huilulla tai kitaralla soitetaan, elleivät ne soi toisistaan erottuvin sävelin? |
| French | Si les objets inanimés qui rendent un son, comme une flûte ou une harpe, ne rendent pas des sons distincts, comment reconnaîtra-t-on ce qui est joué sur la flûte ou sur la harpe? |
| German | Verhält sich's doch auch also mit den Dingen, die da lauten, und doch nicht leben; es sei eine Pfeife oder eine Harfe: wenn sie nicht unterschiedene Töne von sich geben, wie kann man erkennen, was gepfiffen oder geharft wird? |
| Haitian Creole | Annou konsidere bagay ki pa gen lavi nan yo tankou enstriman mizik yo konsa. Ann pran yon fif, osinon yon gita. Ki jan yon moun ka fè konnen ki moso mizik k'ap jwe si son yo pa klè? |
| Indonesian-Bahasa Sehari-hari | Alat-alat musik yang tidak bernyawa sedikit pun, seperti misalnya seruling dan kecapi, kalau nada-nadanya tidak dimainkan dengan jelas, bagaimana orang tahu lagu apa yang dimainkannya? |
| Indonesian-Terjemahan Lama | Walaupun benda yang tiada bernyawa, tetapi yang berbunyi, baik suling atau kecapi, jikalau tiada berlainan bunyinya, bagaimanakah dapat dikenal yang mana bunyi suling, yang mana bunyi kecapi itu? |
| Maori | Na ahakoa nga mea kahore he ora, he reo tona, he putorino ranei, he hapa ranei, ki te kore e puta ke te tangi, me pehea e mohiotia ai te rangi o te putorino, o te hapa ranei? |
| Norwegian | Dersom de livløse ting som gir lyd, enten det er en fløite eller en harpe, ikke gir forskjellige toner, hvorledes kan en da skjønne det som spilles på fløiten eller på harpen? |
| Portuguese | Ora, até as coisas inanimadas, que emitem som, seja flauta, seja cítara, se não formarem sons distintos, como se conhecerá o que se toca na flauta ou na cítara? |
| Rumanian | Chiar wi lucrurile neknsufleyite, cari dau un sunet, fie un fluier sau o alqutq: dacq nu dau sunete desluwite, cine va cunoawte ce se ckntq cu fluierul sau cu alquta? |
| Shuar | Peemsha tura tumansha wi Tájana aintsan ainiawai. Pénker Tuntuíyamuka paant nekaamniaiti. Tura pénker Tuntuíyachkuinkia, nu Tuntuíyamu nekaachminiaiti. |
| Swahili | Ndivyo ilivyo kwa vyombo visivyo na uhai vyenye kutoa sauti kama vile filimbi au kinanda. Je, mtu anawezaje kuutambua wimbo unaochezwa kama vyombo hivyo havitoi sauti waziwazi vinapopigwa? |
| Swedish | Gäller det icke jämväl om livlösa ting som giva ljud ifrån sig, det må nu vara en flöjt eller en harpa, att vad som spelas på dem icke kan uppfattas, om de icke giva ifrån sig toner som kunna skiljas från varandra? |
| Uma | Rapa' -na rewa to rapomoni, hewa lalowe ba kasapi: ane uma lompe' potuwui' -na lalowe, ba ane uma makono pokado' -na kasapi, tauna to mpo'epe uma mpo'incai lagu napa to rapomoni. |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |
Derivations | |
Words beginning with "distinction": distinctions. (additional references) | |
Words ending with "distinction": contradistinction. (additional references) | |
Words containing "distinction": contradistinctions. (additional references) | |
| |
"Distinction" is suggested in spellcheckers for the following: destinction, distaction, distinctio, distingtion, Distington, distinktion, distinti. (additional references) | |
| Source: compiled by the editor, based on several corpora (additional references). | |
| # of Phoneme Matches | Pronunciation | Word(s) rhyming with "distinction" (pronounced di'sti"ngkshun) |
| 8 | -s t i" ng k sh u n | extinction. |
| 5 | -ng k sh u n | compunction, conjunction, dysfunction, function, injunction, junction, malfunction, sanction. |
| 4 | -k sh u n | abduction, abstraction, action, addiction, advection, affection, affliction, attraction, auction, benediction, circumspection, collection, complexion, concoction, conduction, confection, connection, constriction, construction, contraction, contradiction, convection, conviction, correction, crucifixion, deconstruction, deduction, defection, depiction, dereliction, destruction, detection, diction, diffraction, direction, disaffection, disconnection, disinfection, dissatisfaction, dissection, distraction, ejection, election, erection, eviction, exaction, extraction, faction, fiction, flexion, fraction, friction, imperfection, inaction, induction, infarction, infection, inflection, infliction, infraction, injection, inspection, instruction, insurrection, interaction, interconnection, interdiction, interjection, intersection, introduction, introspection, jurisdiction, liposuction, liquefaction, midsection, nonfiction, objection, obstruction, overproduction, overprotection, overreaction, perfection, prediction, predilection, preelection, production, projection, protection, reaction, recollection, reconstruction, redirection, reduction, reelection, reflection, reinspection, reintroduction, rejection, reproduction, restriction, resurrection, retraction, satisfaction, section, seduction, selection, subsection, subtraction, suction, traction, transaction, transection. |
| 3 | -sh u n | abbreviation, abdication, aberration, abolition, abomination, abortion, abrogation, absolution, absorption, academician, acceleration, accession, acclimation, accommodation, accreditation, accretion, accumulation, accusation, acidification, acquisition, activation, adaptation, addition, adjudication, administration, admiration, admission, admonition, adoption, adoration, adulation, advocation, affectation, affiliation, affirmation, agglomeration, aggravation, aggression, agitation, alienation, allegation, alleviation, alliteration, allocation, alphabetization, alteration, altercation, alternation, amalgamation, ambition, amelioration, ammunition, amortization, amplification, amputation, animation, annexation, annihilation, annotation, antiabortion, anticipation, anticorruption, antidiscrimination, apparition, appellation, application, apportion, appreciation, apprehension, approbation, appropriation, approximation, arbitration, argumentation, articulation, ascension, ashen, aspiration, assassination, assertion, assimilation, association, assumption, attention, attribution, attrition, audition, augmentation, authentication, authorization, automation, aviation, avocation, balkanization, beautician, bifurcation, brutalization, calculation, calibration, cancellation, cannibalization, capitalization, capitulation, caption, carburetion, carnation, castration, categorization, causation, caution, celebration, centralization, certification, cessation, cetacean, characterization, circulation, citation, civilization, clarification, classification, clinician, coagulation, coalition, codification, coercion, cogeneration, cogitation, cognition, cohabitation, collaboration, collectivization, colonization, coloration, colorization, combination, commemoration, commendation, commercialization, commission, commotion, communication, communization, compassion, compensation, competition, compilation, completion, complication, composition, comprehension, compression, compulsion, computation, computerization, concatenation, concentration, conception, conceptualization, concession, conciliation, concussion, condemnation, condensation, condescension, condition, confabulation, confederation, confession, configuration, confirmation, confiscation, conflagration, confrontation, conglomeration, congratulation, congregation, conjugation, conniption, connotation, conscription, consecration, conservation, consideration, consolation, consolidation, constellation, consternation, constipation, constitution, consultation, consummation, consumption, contamination, contemplation, contention, continuation, contortion, contraception, contraption, contribution, contrition, convention, conversation, convocation, convolution, convulsion, cooperation, coordination, coronation, corporation, correlation, corroboration, corruption, counterrevolution, creation, cremation, criminalization, crustacean, culmination, cultivation, cushion, dalmatian, damnation, decaffeination, decapitation, deceleration, decentralization, deception, decertification, decimation, declaration, decommission, decomposition, decompression, decontamination, decoration, decriminalization, dedication, defamation, definition, deflation, deforestation, deformation, degeneration, degradation, dehumanization, dehydration, deification, deinstitutionalization, delegation, deletion, deliberation, delineation, demarcation, demilitarization, demobilization, democratization, demodulation, demolition, demonization, demonstration, demoralization, demotion, denationalization, denomination, dentition, denuclearization, denunciation, depletion, depopulation, deportation, deposition, depravation, depreciation, depredation, depression, deprivation, deregulation, derivation, desalination, desalinization, description, desecration, desegregation, desertion, desiccation, designation, desolation, desperation, destabilization, destination, destitution, detention, deterioration, determination, detonation, detoxication, detoxification, devaluation, devastation, deviation, devolution, devotion, dictation, dietitian, differentiation, digression, dilatation, dilation, dilution, dimension, diminution, discoloration, discontinuation, discretion, discrimination, discussion, disembarkation, disinclination, disinflation, disinformation, disintegration, dislocation, disorganization, disorientation, dispensation, disposition, disputation, disqualification, disruption, dissemination, dissension, dissertation, dissipation, dissociation, dissolution, distillation, distortion, distribution, diversification, divination, documentation, domestication, domination, donation, dramatization, duplication, duration, echolocation, edification, edition, education, egyptian, ejaculation, elaboration, elation, electrician, electrification, electrocution, elevation, elimination, elocution, elongation, emanation, emancipation, embarkation, emigration, emission, emotion, emulation, emulsion, encryption, enumeration, equalization, equitation, equivocation, eradication, erudition, eruption, escalation, estimation, evacuation, evaluation, evaporation, evocation, evolution, exacerbation, exaggeration, examination, exasperation, excavation, exception, excitation, exclamation, excommunication, excoriation, excretion, execution, exemption, exertion, exfoliation, exhalation, exhibition, exhilaration, exhortation, exhumation, exoneration, expansion, expatriation, expectation, expedition, experimentation, expiration, explanation, explication, exploitation, exploration, exposition, expression, expropriation, expulsion, extension, extermination, extortion, extradition, extrapolation, fabrication, facilitation, falsification, fascination, fashion, federation, fermentation, fertilization, fibrillation, figuration, filtration, fission, fixation, flirtation, flotation, fluctuation, fluoridation, foliation, formalization, formation, formulation, fortification, foundation, fragmentation, freshen, fruition, frustration, fumigation, gasification, gastrulation, generalization, generation, gentian, gentrification, geriatrician, germination, gestation, glaciation, globalization, glorification, gradation, graduation, granulation, gratification, gravitation, gumption, gyration, habitation, hallucination, harmonization, hesitation, hessian, hibernation, homogenization, hospitalization, humiliation, hybridization, hydration, hydrogenation, hyperinflation, hypertension, hypotension, identification, ignition, illumination, illustration, imagination, imitation, immigration, immunization, impassion, impersonation, implantation, implementation, implication, importation, imposition, impregnation, impression, improvisation, imputation, inactivation, inauguration, incantation, incapacitation, incarceration, incarnation, inception, incineration, inclination, incoordination, incorporation, incrimination, incrustation, incubation, indemnification, indentation, indexation, indication, indignation, indiscretion, indoctrination, industrialization, infatuation, infestation, infiltration, inflammation, inflation, information, inhabitation, inhalation, inhibition, initiation, innovation, inoculation, inquisition, inscription, insemination, insertion, insinuation, inspiration, installation, instigation, institution, institutionalization, instrumentation, insubordination, insulation, integration, intensification, interception, intercession, intermission, internationalization, interpretation, interrogation, interruption, intimation, intimidation, intonation, intoxication, intuition, inundation, invalidation, invention, investigation, invitation, invocation, ionization, irradiation, irrigation, irritation, isolation, jubilation, justification, juxtaposition, laceration, lactation, legalization, legislation, levitation, liberalization, liberation, libration, ligation, lilliputian, limitation, liquidation, litigation, localization, location, locomotion, logician, lotion, lubrication, machination, magician, magnetization, magnification, malformation, malnutrition, manifestation, manipulation, mansion, marginalization, martian, masturbation, mathematician, maturation, maximization, mechanization, mediation, medication, meditation, menstruation, mention, migration, mineralization, miniaturization, ministration, misallocation, misapplication, misapprehension, misappropriation, miscalculation, mischaracterization, miscommunication, misconception, miscreation, misidentification, misimpression, misinformation, misinterpretation, misperception, misrepresentation, mission, mitigation, mobilization, moderation, modernization, modification, modulation, molestation, monopolization, mortician, motion, motivation, multiplication, mummification, munition, musician, mutation, mutilation, narration, nation, nationalization, naturalization, navigation, negation, negotiation, neutralization, nitration, nomination, nonaggression, nondiscrimination, nonprescription, nonproliferation, normalization, notation, notification, notion, nucleation, nullification, nutrition, obfuscation, obligation, observation, obsession, obstetrician, occupation, ocean, omission, operation, opposition, oppression, optician, optimization, option, oration, orchestration, ordination, organisation, organization, orientation, origination, ornamentation, oscillation, ossification, ostentation, ovation, overconsumption, overexpansion, overpopulation, overregulation, oversimplification, overvaluation, ovulation, oxidation, pacification, pagination, palpitation, participation, partition, passion, pasteurization, patrician, pediatrician, penetration, pension, perception, percussion, perforation, permission, permutation, perpetuation, persecution, personalization, personification, perspiration, perturbation, petition, physician, pigmentation, plantation, polarization, politician, politicization, pollination, pollution, pontification, popularization, population, portion, position, possession, potion, precaution, precession, precipitation, preconception, precondition, predestination, predisposition, preemption, prefabrication, preignition, premeditation, premonition, preoccupation, preparation, prescription, presentation, preservation, pressurization, presumption, presupposition, pretension, prevention, privation, privatization, probation, procession, proclamation, procrastination, procreation, profanation, profession, prognostication, progression, prohibition, proliferation, promotion, pronunciation, propagation, proportion, proposition, propulsion, proration, proscription, prosecution, prostitution, prostration, protestation, provocation, publication, punctuation, purification, qualification, quantification, quotation, radiation, radicalization, ramification, ratification, ration, rationalization, reaffirmation, realization, reallocation, reassertion, reauthorization, recalculation, recantation, recapitalization, reception, recertification, recession, recitation, reclamation, reclassification, recognition, recommendation, reconciliation, recondition, reconfiguration, reconfirmation, reconsideration, recreation, recrimination, rectification, recuperation, redecoration, rededication, redefinition, redemption, redistribution, reeducation, reevaluation, reexamination, reflation, reforestation, reformation, refrigeration, refutation, regeneration, regimentation, registration, regression, regulation, rehabilitation, rehydration, reimposition, reincarnation, reincorporation, reintegration, reinterpretation, reinvention, reinvigoration, reiteration, rejuvenation, relation, relaxation, relocation, remediation, remission, remuneration, renationalization, rendition, renegotiation, renomination, renovation, renunciation, reorganization, reparation, repatriation, repercussion, repetition, replication, reposition, repossession, representation, repression, repudiation, reputation, requisition, reregulation, reservation, resignation, resolution, respiration, restitution, restoration, resumption, resuscitation, retaliation, retardation, retention, retransmission, retribution, reunification, revaluation, revelation, reverberation, revitalization, revocation, revolution, revulsion, rhetorician, rotation, rumination, salvation, sanctification, sanitation, saponification, saturation, secession, secretion, securitization, sedation, sedimentation, sedition, segmentation, segregation, sensation, separation, sequestration, session, simplification, simulation, situation, socialization, solicitation, solution, sophistication, specialization, specification, speculation, stabilization, stagflation, stagnation, standardization, starvation, station, statistician, sterilization, stimulation, stipulation, strangulation, subluxation, submission, subordination, subscription, subsidization, substantiation, substation, substitution, suburbanization, succession, suffocation, summation, superstation, superstition, supposition, suppression, suspension, suspicion, syncopation, syndication, tabulation, tactician, taxation, technician, telecommunication, temptation, tension, termination, theoretician, titian, titillation, toleration, tradition, transcription, transformation, transgression, transillumination, transition, translation, transmission, transplantation, transportation, trepidation, triangulation, tribulation, tuition, undervaluation, unification, unionization, urbanization, usurpation, utilization, vacation, vaccination, vacillation, validation, valuation, vaporization, variation, vegetation, venetian, ventilation, verification, vibration, victimization, vilification, vindication, violation, visitation, visualization, vocation, volition, vulgarization, westernization, workstation. |
Source: compiled by the editor (additional references); see credits. | ||
Scrabble® Enable2K-Verified Anagrams | |
| Words within the letters "c-d-i-i-i-n-n-o-s-t-t" | |
-1 letter: indictions, indistinct. | |
-2 letters: indiction. | |
-3 letters: dictions, distinct, incision, instinct, nicotins, stiction. | |
-4 letters: diction, idiotic, indicts, nicotin. | |
-5 letters: conins, dicots, dittos, idiots, indict, inions, iodins, ionics, nitons, otitic, otitis, stotin, tincts, tocsin, tonics. | |
| Words containing the letters "c-d-i-i-i-n-n-o-s-t-t" | |
+1 letter: distinctions. | |
+2 letters: discontinuity, interdictions. | |
+3 letters: nondistinctive. | |
+4 letters: discontinuation, discontinuities, disintoxicating, disintoxication, identifications, indoctrinations. | |
+5 letters: antireductionism, antireductionist, coadministration, conditionalities, denitrifications, discontinuations, disintoxications, nondeterministic. | |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. | |
Hexadecimal (or equivalents, 770AD-1900s) (references)44 69 73 74 69 6E 63 74 69 6F 6E |
| Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519; backwards) (references)
|
| American Sign Language (origins from 1620-1817 in Italy and, especially, France) (references)
|
| Semaphore (1791, in France) (references)
|
| Braille (1829, in France) (references)
|
Morse Code (1836) (references)-.. .. ... - .. -. -.-. - .. --- -. |
| Dancing Men (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, 1903) (references)
|
Binary Code (1918-1938, probably earlier) (references)01000100 01101001 01110011 01110100 01101001 01101110 01100011 01110100 01101001 01101111 01101110 |
HTML Code (1990) (references)D i s t i n c t i o n |
ISO 10646 (1991-1993) (references)0044 0069 0073 0074 0069 006E 0063 0074 0069 006F 006E |
| British Sign Language (Fingerspelling, BSL; 1992, British Deaf Association Dictionary of British Sign Language) (references)
|
Encryption (beginner's substitution cypher): (references)3875858675806986758180 |
| 1. Definition 2. Synonyms 3. Crosswords 4. Usage: Modern | 5. Usage: Commercial 6. Images: Photo Album 7. Quotations: Familiar 8. Quotations: Historic | 9. Quotations: Fiction 10. Quotations: Non-fiction 11. Quotations: Spoken 12. Quotations: Speeches | 13. Usage Frequency 14. Expressions 15. Expressions: Internet 16. Translations: Modern | 17. Translations: Ancient 18. Bible Trace 19. Derivations 20. Rhymes | 21. Anagrams 22. Orthography 23. Bibliography |
Copyright © Philip M. Parker, INSEAD. Terms of Use.
