Definition: distinguished

Search dictionary for

Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 

distinguished
     adj 1: (used of persons) standing above others in character or
            attainment or reputation; "our distinguished
            professor"; "an eminent scholar"; "a great statesman"
            [syn: eminent, great]
     2: used of a person's appearance or behavior; befitting an
        eminent person; "his distinguished bearing"; "the
        monarch's imposing presence"; "she reigned in magisterial
        beauty" [syn: imposing, magisterial]
     3: set apart from other such things

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) 

Distinguish \Dis*tin"guish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
   Distinguished; p. pr. & vb. n. Distinguishing.] [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).

   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.
Distinguished \Dis*tin"guished\, a.
   1. Marked; special.

            The most distinguished politeness.    --Mad. D'
                                                  Arblay.

   2. Separated from others by distinct difference; having, or
      indicating, superiority; eminent or known; illustrious; --
      applied to persons and deeds.

   Syn: Marked; noted; famous; conspicuous; celebrated;
        transcendent; eminent; illustrious; extraordinary;
        prominent. -- Distinguished, Eminent, Conspicuous,
        Celebrated, Illustrious. A man is eminent, when he
        stands high as compared with those around him;
        conspicuous, when he is so elevated as to be seen and
        observed; distinguished, when he has something which
        makes him stand apart from others in the public view;
        celebrated, when he is widely spoken of with honor and
        respect; illustrious, when a splendor is thrown around
        him which confers the highest dignity.