distinction English · revision 7806

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1225|origins=la distinguo}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /dɪˈstɪŋkʃən/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English distinccioun, [[bor|fro|distinction]] and directly Latin [[m|la|distinctio|t=separation, discrimination]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) from the past participle stem of [[m|la|distinguo|alt=distinguere|t=to separate, mark off]] (see [[distinguish]]).^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ One of the parts into which a thing is divided, a section or class: before 1225 in the OED, about 1200 in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The action of distinguishing, noting differences, is from before 1340 (the late 14th century),^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) and division into parts from 1387.^(OED 1989) A distinctive nature or character is from the late 14th century, and a mark of difference from the early 15th.^(Etymonline) ''A distinction without a difference'' is from 1579.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) Punctuation, a stop, is an obsolete sense of 1552.^(OED 1989) Rank or class is from 1719 (''of the first distinction''),^(OED 1989) and that which confers superiority or eminence from the 1690s.^(Etymonline) Special honour, or a symbol of it, is a further sense.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1225 – a section, class.^(OED 1989)

+ * before 1340 – the act of distinguishing.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1579 – a distinction without a difference.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1690s – eminence.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1719 – rank.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The act of [[distinguish|alt=distinguishing]]; differentiation.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A [[difference]], or a distinguishing feature.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # [[excellence|alt=Excellence]] or eminence: ''a writer of distinction''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Special honour or recognition, or a mark of it.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[distinctionless]]

+ * [[contradistinction]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[distinct]]

+ * [[distinguish]]

+ * [[distinguished]]

+ * [[distinctive]]

+ * [[extinguish]]

+ * [[instinct]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}