distinguo Latin · revision 6295

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Cicero}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [dɪsˈtɪŋ.ɡʷoː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [disˈtiŋ.ɡʷo]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''distinguō''' (present infinitive distinguere, perfect active distīnxī, supine distīnctum); third conjugation^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from [[dis-|t=apart]] and a verb *stinguō “to prick”, seen in [[īnstīnctus]] and [[īnstīgō]], with which the OLD compares Umbrian ⟨anstintu⟩.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline) Lewis and Short compare [[grc|στίζω|tr=stízō|t=to prick]].^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's first citations are from Cicero, of keeping things separate.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant to divide off, keep separate, to divide a whole into parts, and to mark off, distinguish one thing from another, as in Cicero.^(OLD 2012) It meant to dot, embellish with distinctive features, as Cicero's decorations, to interrupt or relieve an activity, as in Seneca, and to punctuate writing, as in Quintilian.^(OLD 2012) It meant to make or perceive a difference, draw a distinction, to classify, to be the distinguishing mark of, to define, and in Seneca to settle an issue.^(OLD 2012) Döderlein contrasts [[discernō]], to distinguish by judgement, with ''distinguere'', to mark off.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant to divide, separate, discriminate, speak distinctly.^(Stelten 1995) It survives in French ''distinguer'', Italian ''distinguere'' and Spanish ''distinguir''.^(Wiktionary) [[en|distinguish]] came through French in the 1560s, and [[en|distinct]] from its participle ''distīnctus'' in the late 14th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of separating and distinguishing.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 43 BC–18 AD – Ovid uses it of dividing up.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 35–95/96 AD – Quintilian uses it of punctuation.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1560s – English ''distinguish'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To divide, separate; to mark off.^(OLD 2012)

+ # To adorn, dot.^(OLD 2012)

+ # To interrupt; to punctuate.^(OLD 2012)

+ # To [[m|en|distinguish]], discriminate.^(OLD 2012)

+ # To specify, define.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[distīnctiō]]

+ * [[distinctor]]

+ * [[distīnctus]]

+ * [[indistīnctus]]

+ * [[subdistinguo]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[īnstīgō]]

+ * [[discernō]]

+ * [[en|distinguish]]

+ * [[en|distinct]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}