Distinguish, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Distinguished; p. pr. & vb. n. Distinguishing.]
Etymology: [F. distinguer, L. distinguere, distinctum; di- = dis- + stinguere to quench, extinguish; prob. orig., to prick, and so akin to G. stechen, E. stick, and perh. sting. Cf. Extinguish.]
1. Not set apart from others by visible marks; to make distinctive or discernible by exhibiting differences; to mark off by some characteristic. Not more distinguished by her purple vest, Than by the charming features of her face. Dryden. Milton has distinguished the sweetbrier and the eglantine. Nares.
2. To separate by definition of terms or logical division of a subject with regard to difference; 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. T. Burnet.
3. To recognize or discern by marks, signs, or characteristic quality or qualities; to know and discriminate (anything) from other things with which it might be confounded; as, to distinguish the sound of a drum. We are enabled to distinguish good from evil, as well as truth from falsehood. Watts. Nor more can you distinguish of a man, Than of his outward show. Shak.
4. To constitute a difference; to make to differ. Who distinguisheth thee 1 Cor. iv. 7. (Douay version).
2 more senses
5. To separate from others by a mark of honor; to make eminent or known; to confer distinction upon; -- with by or for."To distinguish themselves by means never tried before." Johnson.
Syn. -- To mark; discriminate; differentiate; characterize; discern; perceive; signalize; honor; glorify.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Distinguish, v. i.
1. To make distinctions; to perceive the difference; to exercise discrimination; -- with between; as, a judge distinguishes between cases apparently similar, but differing in principle.
2. To become distinguished or distinctive; to make one's self or itself discernible. [R.] The little embryo . . . first distinguishes into a little knot. Jer. Taylor.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for distinguish; he lists it under abstract, discern.
Where he writes about it:
What we discern we see apart from all other objects; what we discriminate we judge apart; what we distinguish we mark apart, or recognize by some special mark or manifest difference. — from discern
We discriminate by real differences; we distinguish by outward signs; an officer is readily distinguished from a common soldier by his uniform. — from discern
Objects may be dimly discerned at twilight, when yet we can not clearly distinguish one from another. — from discern