Entry Word: distinct

Function: adjective

Meaning: 1 being not of the same kind <two distinct approaches to the same problem> — see different 1
2 not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation <a person with a distinct Scottish accent> — see clear 2
3 of a particular or exact sort <I left distinct instructions that my books were not to be touched> — see express 1
4 serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group <one of the distinct traits of a preliterate society> — see characteristic 1