distinguishing

Main Entry:: dis·tin·guish
Pronunciation:: \di-ˈstiŋ-(g)wish\
Function:: verb
Etymology:: alteration of Middle English distinguen, from Anglo-French distinguer, from Latin distinguere, literally, to separate by pricking, from dis- + -stinguere (akin to Latin instigare to urge on) — more at stick
Date:: 15th century

transitive verb1: to perceive a difference in : mentally separate <so alike they could not be distinguished>2 a: to mark as separate or different <a policy that distinguishes him from other candidates> b: to separate into kinds, classes, or categories <distinguish words by their part of speech> c: to give prominence or distinction to <distinguished themselves in music> d: characterize <recipes distinguished by simplicity>3 a: discern <distinguished a light in the distance> b: to single out : take special notice ofintransitive verb: to perceive a difference <distinguish between right and wrong>

— dis·tin·guish·abil·i·ty

\-ˌstiŋ-(g)wi-shə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— dis·tin·guish·able

\-ˈstiŋ-(g)wi-shə-bəl\ adjective

— dis·tin·guish·ably

\-blē\ adverb

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