dis·tinct
(dĭ-stĭngkt́)
[Middle English past participle of distincten, to distinguish, discern, from Old French destincter, from Latin distīnctus past participle of distinguere, to distinguish; see distinguish.]
adjective
- Readily distinguishable from all others; discrete: on two distinct occasions.
- Easily perceived by the senses or intellect; clear: a distinct flavor.
- Clearly defined; unquestionable: at a distinct disadvantage.
- Very likely; probable: There is a distinct possibility that she won't come.
- Notable: a distinct honor and high privilege.
derivatives
- dis·tinct́ly
- adverb
- dis·tinct́ness
- noun
usage note
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.
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: apparent
