Distinguish Definition
dĭ-stĭnggwĭsh
distinguished, distinguishes, distinguishing
verb
distinguished, distinguishes, distinguishing
To perceive as being different or distinct.
Can you distinguish a pattern in this behavior?
American Heritage
To make a distinction (between or among)
Webster's New World
To perceive clearly; recognize plainly by any of the senses.
Webster's New World
To be an essential characteristic of; characterize.
Webster's New World
To separate or mark off by differences; perceive or show the difference in; differentiate.
Webster's New World
Origin of Distinguish
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From Middle English distingwen, from Old French distinguer, from Latin distinguere (“to separate, divide, distinguish, set off, adorn, literally mark off”), from di- for dis- (“apart”) + stinguere; see sting, stigma, style. Compare extinguish.
From Wiktionary
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Alteration of obsolete distingue from Middle English distinguen from Old French distinguer from Latin distinguere to separate steig- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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