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distinct

   Also found in: Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.06 sec.
dis·tinct  (d-stngkt)
adj.
1. Readily distinguishable from all others; discrete: on two distinct occasions.
2. Easily perceived by the senses or intellect; clear: a distinct flavor.
3. Clearly defined; unquestionable: at a distinct disadvantage.
4. Very likely; probable: There is a distinct possibility that she won't come.
5. Notable: a distinct honor and high privilege.

[Middle English, past participle of distincten, to distinguish, discern, from Old French destincter, from Latin distnctus, past participle of distinguere, to distinguish; see distinguish.]

dis·tinctly adv.
dis·tinctness n.
Synonyms: distinct, discrete, separate, several
These adjectives mean distinguished from others in nature or qualities: 12 distinct colors; a company with six discrete divisions; a problem consisting of two separate issues; performed several steps of the process. See Also Synonyms at apparent.
Usage Note: A thing is distinct if it is sharply distinguished from other things; a property or attribute is distinctive if it enables us to distinguish one thing from another. The warbler is not a distinct species means that the warbler is not a clearly defined type of bird. The pine warbler has a distinctive song means that the pine warbler's song enables us to distinguish it from all other birds, including other warblers.

distinct
Adjective
1. not the same; different: these two areas produce wines with distinct characteristics
2. clearly seen, heard, or recognized: it is not possible to draw a distinct line between the two categories, there's a distinct smell of burning
3. clear and definite: there is a distinct possibility of rain
4. obvious: a distinct improvement [Latin distinctus]
distinctly adv
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Adj.1.distinct - (often followed by `from') not alike; different in nature or quality; "plants of several distinct types"; "the word `nationalism' is used in at least two distinct senses"; "gold is distinct from iron"; "a tree related to but quite distinct from the European beech"; "management had interests quite distinct from those of their employees"
different - unlike in nature or quality or form or degree; "took different approaches to the problem"; "came to a different conclusion"; "different parts of the country"; "on different sides of the issue"; "this meeting was different from the earlier one"
2.distinct - easy to perceive; especially clearly outlined; "a distinct flavor"; "a distinct odor of turpentine"; "a distinct outline"; "the ship appeared as a distinct silhouette"; "distinct fingerprints"
clear - readily apparent to the mind; "a clear and present danger"; "a clear explanation"; "a clear case of murder"; "a clear indication that she was angry"; "gave us a clear idea of human nature"
definite - precise; explicit and clearly defined; "I want a definite answer"; "a definite statement of the terms of the will"; "a definite amount"; "definite restrictions on the sale of alcohol"; "the wedding date is now definite"; "a definite drop in attendance"
precise - sharply exact or accurate or delimited; "a precise mind"; "specified a precise amount"; "arrived at the precise moment"
indistinct - not clearly defined or easy to perceive or understand; "indistinct shapes in the gloom"; "an indistinct memory"; "only indistinct notions of what to do"
3.distinct - constituting a separate entity or part; "a government with three discrete divisions"; "on two distinct occasions"
separate - independent; not united or joint; "a problem consisting of two separate issues"; "they went their separate ways"; "formed a separate church"
4.distinct - recognizable; marked; "noticed a distinct improvement"; "at a distinct (or decided) disadvantage"
definite - precise; explicit and clearly defined; "I want a definite answer"; "a definite statement of the terms of the will"; "a definite amount"; "definite restrictions on the sale of alcohol"; "the wedding date is now definite"; "a definite drop in attendance"
5.distinctdistinct - clearly or sharply defined to the mind; "clear-cut evidence of tampering"; "Claudius was the first to invade Britain with distinct...intentions of conquest"; "trenchant distinctions between right and wrong"
clear - readily apparent to the mind; "a clear and present danger"; "a clear explanation"; "a clear case of murder"; "a clear indication that she was angry"; "gave us a clear idea of human nature"

distinct
Translations
Spanish distinct [dɪsˈtɪŋkt] adj (= different) → distinto (= clear); claro (= unmistakeable); inequívoco;
as distinct from → a diferencia de

French distinct [dɪsˈtɪŋkt] adjdistinct(e) (= clear); marqué(e);
as distinct from → par opposition à, en contraste avec

German distinct [dɪsˈtɪŋkt] adjdeutlich, klar;
(possibility) → eindeutig;
(different) → verschieden;
as distinct from → im Unterschied zu

Italian distinct [dɪsˈtɪŋkt] adjdistinto/a; [preference, progress] → definito/a;
as distinct from → a differenza di

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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
The whale, therefore, must see one distinct picture on this side, and another distinct picture on that side; while all between must be profound darkness and nothingness to him.
Now it is evident that each of the modes of imitation above mentioned will exhibit these differences, and become a distinct kind in imitating objects that are thus distinct.
But politicians now appear, who insist that this opinion is erroneous, and that instead of looking for safety and happiness in union, we ought to seek it in a division of the States into distinct confederacies or sovereignties.
 
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