distinguishing

[ dih-sting-gwi-shing ]
/ dɪˈstɪŋ gwɪ ʃɪŋ /

adjective

distinctive; characteristic, as a definitive feature of an individual or group: Intricate rhyming is a distinguishing feature of her poetry.

Origin of distinguishing

First recorded in 1660–70; distinguish + -ing2

OTHER WORDS FROM distinguishing

Definition for distinguishing (2 of 2)

distinguish
[ dih-sting-gwish ]
/ dɪˈstɪŋ gwɪʃ /

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

to indicate or show a difference (usually followed by between).
to recognize or note differences; discriminate.

Origin of distinguish

1555–65; extension, by -ish2, of Middle English disting(u)en (< Anglo-French, Middle French distinguer) < Latin distinguere; see distinct

synonym study for distinguish

2. Distinguish, differentiate, discriminate suggest an attempt to analyze characteristic features or qualities of things. To distinguish is to recognize the characteristic features belonging to a thing: to distinguish a light cruiser from a heavy cruiser. To discriminate is to perceive the particular, nice, or exact differences between things, to determine wherein these differences consist, and to estimate their significance: to discriminate prejudiced from unprejudiced testimony. To differentiate is to point out exactly and in detail the differences between (usually) two things: The symptoms of both diseases are so similar that it is hard to differentiate one from another.

OTHER WORDS FROM distinguish

Example sentences from the Web for distinguishing

British Dictionary definitions for distinguishing

distinguish
/ (dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ) /

verb (mainly tr)

(when intr, foll by between or among) to make, show, or recognize a difference or differences (between or among); differentiate (between)
to be a distinctive feature of; characterize
to make out; perceive
to mark for a special honour or title
to make (oneself) noteworthy he distinguished himself by his cowardice
to classify; categorize we distinguished three species

Derived forms of distinguish

Word Origin for distinguish

C16: from Latin distinguere to separate, discriminate