distinguishing

American  

[dih-sting-gwi-shing] / dɪˈstɪŋ gwɪ ʃɪŋ /

adjective

1. distinctive; characteristic, as a definitive feature of an individual or group.

   Intricate rhyming is a distinguishing feature of her poetry.

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Other Word Forms

• distinguishingly adverb
• nondistinguishing adjective
• self-distinguishing adjective
• undistinguishing adjective
• undistinguishingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of distinguishing

First recorded in 1660–70; distinguish + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Those two brain areas are known to play a role in decision-making and in empathy, or distinguishing the feelings of others from our own.

From BBC

Law 19.8 now clearly defines overthrows as intentional throws at the stumps, distinguishing them from ordinary misfields, which are not counted as overthrows.

From BBC

He said distinguishing some colors on the palette has been challenging.

From Los Angeles Times

"It's hard to tell distinguishing characteristics, but genetically we can see that there are at least two populations out there," Werner said.

From Science Daily

As new observatories such as the Giant Magellan Telescope prepare to directly image Earth-like planets around nearby stars, distinguishing between real planets and temporary dust clouds will become increasingly important.

From Science Daily