distinguish

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To recognize the difference between two or more things.

   Young children often find it hard to distinguish left from right.

2. 2
   verb

   To be the feature that makes someone or something different from others.

   Its bright red feathers distinguish this bird from all the others.

3. 3
   verb

   To do something so well that you become respected or famous (often 'distinguish oneself').

   The soldier distinguished himself in combat and received a medal.

From Middle English distingwen, from Old French distinguer, from Latin distinguere (“to separate, divide, distinguish, set off, adorn, literally mark off”), from di-, dis- (“apart”) + stinguere, related to English stink. Compare extinguish.

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