distinctus

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [dɪsˈtiːŋk.tʊs]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [disˈtiŋk.tus]^[1]

Forms

distīnctus (feminine distīncta, neuter distīnctum, comparative distīnctior, superlative distīnctissimus); first/second-declension adjective^[1]

Etymology

It is the participle of distinguō “to separate, distinguish”.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Lucretius, of things different in nature.^[2] Köbler's first source is Cicero; he dates Lucretius 96–55 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant different, distinct, as in Lucretius, and in Livy standing apart from each other.^[2] In Cicero it meant definite, precise, methodical, of speech or behaviour.^[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant adorned, separated, distinct, clear.^[5] Medieval Latin used it for distinct, explicit.^[6] It survives in Italian and Spanish distinto and French distinct, and English distinct is recorded from the late 14th century.^[1][3]

Timeline

• 96–55 BC – Lucretius uses it of the different.^[2][4]
• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of the precise.^[2][4]
• late 14th century – English distinct is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Separate, apart.^[2]
2. Different, distinct.^[2]
3. Definite, precise; methodical.^[2]

Related words

• distinctiō
• distinguō
• English distinct

Usage notes

A noun distinctus, -ūs means a marking off, distinctive character.^[2]

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
6. ^ Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill