distinct
[dih-stingkt]
- distinguished as not being the same; not identical; separate (sometimes followed by from): His private and public lives are distinct.
- different in nature or quality; dissimilar (sometimes followed by from): Gold is distinct from iron.
- clear to the senses or intellect; plain; unmistakable: The ship appeared as a distinct silhouette.
- distinguishing or perceiving clearly: distinct vision.
- unquestionably exceptional or notable: a distinct honor.
- Archaic. distinctively decorated or adorned.
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Origin of distinct
Synonyms
See more synonyms for distinct on Thesaurus.com1. individual. 3. well-defined, unconfused.
Synonym study
1. See various.
Antonyms
3, 4. indistinct.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for distinct
Contemporary Examples
But it performs two distinct functions, both of which are undeniably valuable.
These attacks had distinct similarities with the malware used against Sony.
There is a distinct smell of apples, which are handed out by volunteer workers.
There is a distinct style Japanese artist Takashi Murakami is known for: his bubbly anime-like characters.
As I described in an article over the summer when the fatal case in China was diagnosed, plague has three distinct clinical forms.
Historical Examples
She heard him speaking in a voice not louder than a whisper, rapid, distinct.
Way of the LawlessMax Brand
I hear voices in all directions, and never have they been so distinct as at this moment.
The DreamEmile Zola
And this latter recollection seemed as distinct to him as the first had been.
The Leopard WomanStewart Edward White
A distinct picture came to him of his classroom and old Doctor Stokes.
The Leopard WomanStewart Edward White
He had such a distinct perception of ruin and death that he shuddered again.
The Secret AgentJoseph Conrad
distinct
- easily sensed or understood; clear; precise
- (when postpositive, foll by from) not the same (as); separate (from); distinguished (from)
- not alike; different
- sharp; clear
- recognizable; definitea distinct improvement
- explicit; unequivocal
- maths logic (of a pair of entities) not identical
- botany (of parts of a plant) not joined together; separate
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Word Origin
C14: from Latin distinctus, from distinguere to distinguish
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for distinct
adj.
late 14c., originally past participle of distincten (c.1300) "to distinguish," from Old French distincter, from Latin distinctus, past participle of distinguere (see distinguish). Related: Distinctness.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper